REVEREND RONNIE T. NORTHAM SENIOR
Call To Ministry
I am Pastor Ronnie T. Northam Sr., Born the only son of Virginia Strand and James Strand of Accomac, VA. After graduating from High School with a four-year scholarship in music at Norfolk State University I decided to go into the US Army and continue my education after my duty to my country. I was an insurance agenct with Universal life Insurance Company from 1970 to 1977. I did not have preaching on my mind. The best I wanted to do was to be a church go-ER.
But on April 5th, 1977 around 5 a.m., in the morning I had a vision. In my vision I saw clouds as if a storm was about to come. As I looked at it the clouds rolled back like a scroll and out of the clouds came the image of a man. All I saw was his lips and I heard words come from his mouth saying "I'm coming Soon." As it had appeared to me it went back into the clouds and the storm was as it was before. I woke up crying saying, "I saw Jesus, I saw Jesus!!!" I called three people that morning and told them what had happened to me and all of them said the same thing to me, which was if you want to know what Jesus wants you to do give your life to Him and He will show you. That day around 2 p.m., I did. That was on a Tuesday. That Thursday my soul was burning and I was about to lose it. I prayed and asked God what do you want me to do and He told me I'm calling you to preach. I drove 40 miles that night to Rev. C. Mapp's house and told him I was called to preach by communicating with God. Thank God for Rev. Mapp helping me in my early stages of ministry. I preached my initial sermon on Mother's Day May 5, 1977, at Metompkin Baptist Church, in Parksley Va.
Please let me just tell you this about my first church. I had a dream and God showed me the Church I was going to be called to. He told me to write a letter to myself and mail it to myself and when the time was right I was to give it to the people. In August of 1977 I was called to be interviewed by a pulpit committee and guest what? The Church where I was interviewed was the Church in the letter God told me to write. Man, what a God we serve. The day you hear of me not preaching any more, will be at my death.
I have been through some very hard times. This was my theme song: I almost let go, seemed like I couldn't take life anymore, my problems had me down, but I won't let go. God will not lead you where He can not keep you.
Ps 27:14
14 Wait on the LORD : be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
KJV
