As pastor of the West Side Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Bobo Sr. says he is living his dream and has “the best of both worlds.”
As the leader of one of the largest churches in the area for 27 years, he has spent 24 of those years extensively traveling to places many would not dare to go. Yet unafraid and unashamed, he boards flight after flight and heads on a journey to some faraway place for the sake of the gospel. He has jokingly said he would consider traveling to the South Pole and “preach to a penguin.”
Since 1989, Rev. Bobo began traveling internationally with the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention. In 1990 the Baptist World Alliance opened a door for him to be used in its Youth Department where he also served as president from 1993-1998.
Out of this involvement, he later founded Sharing Hope International Ministries, a non-profit organization he currently serves as executive director. Through Sharing Hope he is able to evangelize and travel. He has at times boarded his flight on Sunday afternoon after preaching at three of his worship services held at his one church in two locations, the city campus at 4675 Page Blvd. and the North County location at 4677 Dunn Rd.
His trips are not quick turnarounds either. He will leave spend weeks at a time in another country evangelizing, teaching other pastors, preaching in conferences and ministering to people. He often travels alone, yet he has on occasion taken medical and educational ministry teams.
While he is away Pastor Bobo often thinks about his wife of 37 years, Darlean. He makes sure to call home to ensure that all is well. Darlean is not only his childhood sweet heart; she is also his life partner in ministry.
“I have a wife who allows me to go and fulfill this passion that I have to share the gospel all over the world,” he said. “She pushes me to go and do what I love to do.”
His church family is supportive as well. When he goes overseas, he often tells his church that he is representing them. His members have played a part in helping Sharing Hope to provide clothing, medical supplies and educational materials for schools, churches, hospitals and medical schools abroad. While he is on a mission trip, his church staff and church leaders carry on with business as usual.
“The church has been so understanding and supportive through the years,” he said. “I have a well trained staff and in my absence they are completely capable of running things well and doing things right.”
This work costs money. Sharing Hope is hosting a spring fundraiser 7 p.m. Friday, May 17 at Orlando’s in Maryland Heights. There will be a buffet style dinner and silent auction featuring items from local vendors and businesses as well as items Rev. Bobo has picked up during his travels. Local gospel artist Lady Michaela Snypes will perform.
Proceeds will support trips planned for later this year to India, Jamaica, Bhutan and Malawi, Southeast Africa. They also seek individuals to sponsor-adopt 131 orphans in India, affectionately named, “Darlean’s Darlings.”
Tickets are $35 each and may be purchased at the West Side Church on Page.
Contact information: 314-535-9002, 314-363-8610, http://sharinghopeim.wix.com and www.westsidembc.org.
