MiddletownJournal.com

MIDDLETOWN — Bob Stacy, Spring Hill Church of Christ senior minister, has a past. He's left his mark through 56 years of ministry touching lives across the country.

The Tonawanda, N.Y., native was ordained in 1953, starting a ministry that would take him as a teacher and interim president to colleges and as preacher to congregations. His wife, Dell, has worked by his side since their marriage nearly 54 years ago.

The couple in 1999 landed at Spring Hill, where Stacy enjoys preaching and ministering to the 300-member congregation.

"I've always been torn," Stacy said. "I love students, love teaching; but I love preaching and ministering."

He's taught preaching and this is what he believes: "Preaching is the heart of God demonstrated through the heart of a man to the hearts of the people."

"I'm not a person who scolds people from the pulpit. But, if you do cut, you should always provide a bandage before the sermon is over. You don't leave people bleeding," he said.

Stacy understands hurting. The sudden death of his twin daughter, Rhonda, in 1991 at age 30, was life-changing.

"It really deepened our faith and it also helped us to minister to people who lost a child or someone else. It made me more human," he said.

Before moving to Middletown, he taught for 19 years in colleges including Central Christian College in Moberly, Mo., where he served as interim president, and at Cincinnati Christian University. He founded the national Christ in Youth organization in 1968. The endowed Bob Stacy Ministry Scholarship was started in 2008 in recognition of the 40th anniversary of CIY.

The Cincinnati Christian University Web site includes this tribute by President David Faust: "Bob Stacy has always had a unique God-given ability to connect with teens and call them to a deeper walk with the Lord. ... And he has endured seasons of hardship and grief while maintaining strong faith in the Lord and a positive attitude."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2169 or pmccracken@coxohio.com.