About HPPC
Pastor Directory
| Rev. Dr. Ron Scates Phone: 214-525-4149 Ministries: Worship |
Profile
Dr. Ron Scates, a lifelong Presbyterian, grew up in Bethesda, Maryland. He attended Trinity University in San Antonio on a baseball scholarship and later accepted a position as an assistant baseball coach while attending graduate school. His pursuit of a career in veterinary medicine was permanently interrupted when he responded to the Lord's call to the ministry. Ron's call to the ministry also led him to Anne. While a student at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, he met Anne, who was enrolled at the nearby Presbyterian School of Christian Education. Anne, a Memphis native, was attracted to Ron by his intellect, his sense of humor and his commitment to the Lord. She is both his strongest supporter and his greatest asset. After earning a Doctor of Ministry degree from Union, Ron's first pastorate was as Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry at San Antonio's First Presbyterian Church, under Senior Pastor Louis Zbinden. In 1989 Ron and Anne accepted a call to Central Presbyterian Church in Baltimore. During Ron's tenure there, Central's worship attendance doubled and the church completed a major building program. In 2000 Ron and Anne accepted a call to Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas, as its Senior Pastor where his ministry continues to flourish. Ron and Anne have been blessed with five children: Katie (23), Andrew (17) twins Michael and Emily (15), and Anna who passed away as a young child a decade ago. The Scates family enjoys sporting events, music recitals and concerts, and traveling together to their favorite places, which include the beach and Civil War sites (Dad's favorite). Ron is also an avid weight trainer. The principal focus of Dr. Scates' ministry is his preaching. He devotes time daily to sermon preparation and translates his Scriptural text from the original language. Dr. Scates holds or has held positions on the boards of The Assistance Center of Towson Churches, Youth for Christ of Metro-Maryland, Regeneration Ministries, Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity, Reformed Worship Journal, Christian Assistance Ministry of San Antonio, San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries, Spiritual Advisory Board of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas Board of Governors, and Presbyterians for Renewal. He is also currently affiliated with Evangelicals for Social Action.
