Rev. Ronald D. Barton - 2nd Vice Moderator

Dr. Ronald D. Barton was born in Greenville, South Carolina. He is the youngest of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Willis F. (Mary Louise) Barton. After graduating from Berea High School, he enrolled into Morris College of Sumter, South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies. He also received from the Morris College School of Religion a Bachelor of Divinity Degree, Magna Cum Laude as well as a Doctor of Divinity Degree. He has also done further study through the Howard University School of Divinity.

Dr. Barton started preaching at the age of fifteen, and was licensed by the Shady Oak Baptist Church. His pastoral experience includes being pastor of Central Baptist Church of Columbia, South Carolina, where he served seven years. He has been the pastor of his home church, Shady Oak Baptist Church of Greenville, South Carolina, for seventeen years.

Dr. Barton is currently a member of the Reedy River Baptist Association, Dean of the Reedy River Congress of Christian Education, a member of the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, a member of the Baptist Ministers Fellowship of Greenville and Vicinity, and a member of the Board of Evangelism of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc, a member of the Family Self-Sufficiency Task Force of The Greenville Housing Authority, a member of the board of the Urban League of the Upstate and a member of the Multicultural Diversity Board at Greenville Technical College.

Dr. Barton is an anointed preacher, musician, gifted vocalist and songwriter. He has preached extensively across the United States as well as on international soil. He has authored a sermon that is included in the book "Outstanding Black Sermons, Volume 4," by Judson Press.

Under the leadership of Dr. Barton the membership at Shady Oak Baptist Church has grown tremendously over the past seventeen years. With the increase in membership there are now more than 50 ministries in development.

In April of 2003, Dr. Barton led the congregation into a new state of the art worship center and administrative complex. Plans are presently underway for the construction of the Shady Oak Baptist Church Community Empowerment Center out of which the Community Empowerment Project will be ran and the Shady Oak Baptist Church Faith Dome, which will include a 2,200 seat Worship Facility, Video Production Studio, Day Care Center, Educational Complex, and Administrative Suite.

Dr. Barton centers his life on the motto, "Stay focused on God and all of life will be clearer."