The Testimony of Ronald R. McConico

             I came from a Lutheran family; I was in church most every Sunday.  But it was through a Baptist Church’s after school activity that I received Christ.  I responded to the altar call and that began my walk with Christ at the age of 8.  I was discipled by an inner city organization called Hospitality House from 9 to 14 years old, teaching me aspects of devotion, prayer, and witnessing.  My father died when I was 6 so I did not have a father role model in my life and this was the closest it came. But at the age of 17 I took a nose-dive and in the “70’s” started experimenting with drugs, drinking and girls.  The next 3 years continued to get worse.  Then one night one of my leaders from Hospitality House showed up unexpectedly at my apartment and caught me in the middle of my sin.  Shortly after being confronted with my double life I rededicated my life to Christ in 1974 and started attending Jesus People Church.  It was about a month later that I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, gifts and power of God.

            Shortly after that I became uncomfortable at my job; I wanted more.  I asked the Lord to use me.  It was in 1976 that I started working for the same inner city youth work that I was discipled at, Hospitality House.  I worked with them for over 13 years, leading hundreds of youth to Christ and discipling many.  I supervised and taught other staff.  I also designed and implemented many programs to help reach and disciple the youth of the city.  One of the programs I started was a youth and men’s fishing ministry.  That work took off and I soon resigned from Hospitality House to work with FOCAS, Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society.  There I became the Midwest regional director and established a number of adult clubs, training and put in place volunteer leadership. After that I moved into the corporate world and got a JOB.  The job I landed was a sales position with a major computer company.  I worked there for 3 years and then started MRB Enterprises, a computer sales and consulting firm.  I ran that business for over 10 years. Then God had another Call on my life. I could not stop thinking about the poor and disenfranchised individuals of the city. God call me out of my business to begin ministry again.

            Now I am an Elder at ULCC. My relationship with Urban Life Christian Center goes back over 19 years when my last church announced they were going to move out of the city.  I knew that I have been called to the city and I needed to go to a city church.  I am also President of the Board of Directors of a ministry called Urban Leadership Academy. This is a work started with the help of Luther Seminary and Bethel Seminary.