Lynn and Mary Ruth accepted their call to fulltime ministry during the 1960 Lee College/University Fall Convocation. Standing on risers and singing “Saved by the Blood” with the Touring Choir, tears flowed down Mary Ruth’s cheeks. Lynn heard God speaking to his heart: “Return to Lee next year and enroll in the Bible Program.”
After graduation, a year of evangelizing, and a year of associate pastoral ministry, they were appointed as pastors in the Metropolitan Evangelism Program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Two years later they moved to Bordentown, New Jersey, serving as both pastors and state youth directors. Following one year as pastors in Cincinnati, Ohio, and eleven years of youth ministry in Arkansas, Virginia, and Alabama, in 1982 Lynn came to the seminary as Director of Business and Development; and, Mary Ruth joined the faculty of Lee University. In 1986, they began their first of three tenures as administrative bishops in Iowa/Nebraska, later serving twelve years in the Pacific Northwest and California/Nevada.
In 2004, Mary Ruth became Director of Women’s Ministries at the Church of God International Offices for the third time, and Lynn joined the staff of the Church of God Division of Education. While she concentrated on ministering to women in seminars, conferences, and local churches, he focused on certifying the church’s educational institutions. Together, they traveled to almost fifty countries around the world, certifying the Bible schools, colleges, and seminaries, according to a common standard, patterned after the USA regional accrediting associations. In 2010, Mary Ruth returned to Lee as the Director of Faculty Development and Lynn served two years as liaison to the Church of God General Overseer, before returning to the Division of Education. Together, they authored and coauthored seven books, twelve School of Leadership Development manuals, numerous booklets, and hundreds of articles and chapters for various departments and publications.
The greatest joy of their lives together was their four sons—Ken, Tim, Dave, and Jon; their twelve grandchildren; and, many other members of their extended families.
H. LYNN AND MARY RUTH STONE
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Sponsored by
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
MAY 14, 2025
