It is with great joy and humble hearts that the wardens and vestry announce that we have issued a call to the Rev. Ronald D. Keel to serve as the Interim Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield, and he has accepted that call. Fr. Ron said, “We are honored and humbled to be invited to share in the ministry and service of Christ Episcopal Church and look forward with prayerful anticipation to journey together as we seek to know Christ and to make Christ known.”
“We are honored and humbled to be invited to share in the ministry and service of Christ Episcopal Church…”
Fr. Ron’s ordained ministry has been focused within The Dioceses of West Missouri and Arizona. In 2005 following graduation from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, Texas, he served as Rector of The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Blue Springs, Missouri for ten years. Moving to Arizona in 2016, Fr. Ron has successfully completed two Interim Rector assignments at St. Alban’s, Wickenburg, and St. Paul’s, Payson, Arizona.
Fr. Ron is a second vocation priest, having previously worked for thirty years in the healthcare industry as a hospital administrator. In addition to his seminary preparation, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri; and a Master of Arts degree in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University. He has traveled broadly in mission service to Haiti, South Africa, Kenya, Cuba, Albania, and Kosovo.
Fr. Keel is a veteran of the US Army; a sports enthusiast, particularly baseball; active in pickleball and other forms of exercise. He describes himself as a restless soul who wants/needs to be involved in meaningful activities.
He is married to Victoria (Vicki), a nurse employed in the pharmaceutical industry. They have two adult sons and seven grandchildren.
Fr. Ron is excited to begin this new journey with the people of Christ Church, supporting our existing ministries and joining us as we continue to live into our identity and mission to know Christ and to make Christ known.