Ralph grew up in the small, rural Pennsylvania town of Quakertown, and he attended a Mennonite Brethren in Christ church where at the age of six he accepted Jesus as his Savior. He was baptized on an Easter Sunday in the cold water of an outdoor cinderblock baptismal.

While attending Penn State and Stephen F. Austin State University, as a forestry major, he had planned his future career in detail. However, God had another plan that included becoming a staff member of Campus Crusade for Christ for the next 19 years.

While serving in Arkansas he met Katy, another Crusade staff member. In 1976 CCC sent them to Washington DC for the I Found It campaign. In 1989 Ralph was asked to join the Immanuel pastoral team.  In addition to being the Stewardship Pastor, Ralph also serves as the current Building Committee chairman.  Ralph and Katy minister together in greeting new comers to Immanuel through the Guest Reception and the Welcome Centers.

Ralph continues to use his forestry education through tree planting projects, speaking for the Cornwall Alliance - For the Stewardship of Creation, and firewood cutting.  Ralph also enjoys landscaping, giving historical/spiritual tours of Philadelphia and playing Senior Softball.  Ralph and Katy have two adult daughters: Brooke and Abby.