On February 26, 2024, my father, Ron Sprunger, celebrated his 85th birthday. When we were growing up, my dad taught us the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E. While building bridges with people of all backgrounds and doing music ministry throughout our community, my father still always makes time for me and for so many other people.
My parents met in Austria while studying music. My dad said it was love at first sight, and he instantly knew that my mother was the one for him. They’ve been married for 62 years, and they’ve teamed up to do music ministry at Ashland Theological Seminary and in so many churches for so many occasions over the past 35 years. As many of you know, my dad can sit down and play your favorite songs by ear by memory on the keyboard and turn an ordinary gathering into a worship experience.
My dad is a bridge builder. He invests most of his early morning hours composing new songs to connect with people’s hearts and stories. He’s been known to go from coffee shop to coffee shop building relational connections ministering to people of all backgrounds. He’s unofficially been the pastor at Lyn-Way, Buehler’s, and Tim Horton’s. He makes the time to get to know the customers and employees, invests himself in mentoring relationships, and makes a difference wherever he goes.
Most people slow down when they get older, but not my dad. My mother couldn’t slow him down if she tried. She tries every day, but it doesn’t work. Why? Because my father is driven by the Spirit of God into the lives of others using his music to connect with people’s hearts. Perhaps the best nickname he’s been tagged with was “The Walking Ecumenical Movement.” It doesn’t matter what your religious background has been, my father wants to get to know you and build a relational bridge into your life through coffee and song.
His joy exploed when he spent four years teaching preschoolers music and worship at the Trinity Lutheran Church Montessori School. As we gathered every Tuesday morning to at Tim Horton’s, my dad had a fresh story about how he and the little children impacted each other. Today, my dad told the story of a 3-year-old girl who got so excited to see “Dr. Sprunger” that she ran up to him, grabbed him by the leg, and knocked him to the floor. My dad will do almost anything to build a connection with people.
I remember when my dad turned 60. He began to question his worth and wondered if he was still needed. I think he’s more sought after and needed every year he gets younger. It’s questionable whether he’s better at connecting with kids or seniors. His philosophy of ministry is that “it’s better to wear out than to rust out.”
Eight years ago, my mother called in the middle of the night because my father was having a heart attack. We rushed him to the Samaritan Hospital ER where they saved his life. After his triple by-pass heart surgery, God gave dad a new lease on life. I am so thankful that God gave me more time with my dad.
Life is way too short. We never know when we are given our last moment with the people around us. Don’t take any of your moments, or loved ones, or friends, or co-workers for granted. Find some common ground. Build a bridge. Live to be an encouragement. And, as my dad often says, “Do all that you do for Christ!”