wfn.org | Disciples Leader Ozark Range Dies

["Communication Ministries" <wshuffit@cm.disciples.org>]

Date: May 20, 2002
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

Contact: Suzanne DeMoss Brown, director of communications, 
Division of Homeland Ministries 
(888) 3462631 or sbrown@dhm.disciples.org
 

	INDIANAPOLIS, May 20, 2002 -- Well-known African-American
Disciples leader, Ozark Range Sr., died unexpectedly May
10. He had retired March 31, 1995, after nearly 18 years of
service to Homeland Ministries as director of Black
Ministry.
	
	Range initiated and implemented programs of support and
education of the ministry, not limited to, but with special
emphasis on black ministry. He maintained a network of
ordained and licensed black ministries and "encouraged all
units of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to
spare no effort in developing and steadily maintaining
healthy supportive attitudes about the gifts and abilities
of black clergy."

	Range was also responsible for several scholarships and
field education 
opportunities for minority students as well as a mentor
program for seminarians and a salary support program. His
ecumenical involvements included membership in the
Interfaith Impact Foundation, an event held on Capitol Hill
to work on Justice and Peace issues each year, Church
Action for Just and Safe Communities (CASJC), and was
Liaison with the Racial Ministry unit of the Presbyterian
Church USA.

	Range was a graduate of Southern Christian Institute,
Edwards, Miss., in 
1951. He attended Brite College of the Bible, Ft. Worth,
Texas, and Methodist Theological School, Delaware, Ohio,
where his emphasis was clinical pastoral education,
1957-77. In 1981 Jarvis Christian College bestowed upon him
the doctor of Divinity degree. He earned the Master of
Divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary,
Indianapolis, 1988.

	Range was ordained in 1954 by the Texas Christian
Missionary Convention.

	Services in the church and community were as follows:

	COMMUNITY: Chairman of the Mayor's Advisory Committee for
Community, Police relations, Columbus, Ohio, for four
years, 1966-70; Chairman of the Board for Operation
P.U.S.H. 1971-73, Columbus, Ohio.

	EDUCATION: Served on the Panel of experts for Adult
Education for the State of Ohio; Director of several Adult
Basic Education Schools for the Columbus Public Schools.

	CHURCH: 1955-1960, Vice President of the Texas Christian
Missionary Convention. Now the Texas Christian Missionary
Fellowship; 1956-1966, Youth advisor, National Convention;
1966-1976, Treasurer of the National Christian Missionary
Convention; 1978-1980, President of the National
Convocation, formerly the National Convention.

	On October 15, 1994, Range was inducted into the first
Pioneer Hall of Fame at Jarvis Christian College. Range
served on the committee for moral and Civil Rights of the
International Convention, the Committee for the Town and
Country Church of the Home State and Missions planning
committee.

	Range served pastorates in Texas for 10 years, served as
the Regional Associate in his native Mississippi and for
more than 13 years as pastor of the Woodland Christian
Church in Columbus, Ohio. He joined the general staff of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and moved to
Indianapolis in July 1977.

	Range loved traveling, fishing, gardening, and enjoyed all
sporting events.

	Range is survived by his wife Mildred and seven children.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
the Scholarship Fund of Homeland Ministries.

	Homeland Ministries is forever grateful for the
significant professional and personal contributions Range
made not only to DHM but to the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ). Thanks to his leadership as an advocate, black
clergy received nurture, encouragement and support.

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