New Day Christian Church: Ron and Shirley Whitney

Ron & Shirley Whitney

Ron was born in Medford, Oregon. As a child he lived in Oregon, Illinois, & California. He is the son of a preacher/college professor. His parents currently live in Citrus Heights, California. Shirley was born in San Jose, California, and has always lived in this state. Her father (deceased) was a preacher and her mother, a retired school teacher, lives in Gridley, California.

Both are from preacher’s families, but what they ate, talked about, family habits, and how they related to the church were all very different, as were their talents and expectations in life. They have spent over 34 years together learning how God uses all that

to complete and grow each other.

They have had the privilege of doing some traveling. Ron has been to Europe and Asia, along with quite a bit of travel in the USA for work. He’s also been to Japan and Kenya. Shirley (not a good traveler) has been to Europe with Ron and their kids and accompanied Ron to Scotland.

Their son, JD, & his wife, Jenny, are working at NMSI headquarters in Florida where JD is an executive vice-president. Jenny spends most of her time taking care of Corban and Josiah. Corban was born in December, 2006 and Josiah in March, 2008. They recently completed a mission assignment in Kenya and are planning on going to a new field in 2009.

Ron & Shirley’s daughter, Judi, and her husband, Kelly, live in Rohnert Park and are active in New Life Christian Fellowship in Petaluma. Kelly is a software support specialist and Judi is an interior architect. Kelly & Judi are the proud parents of Liam, born in May, 2007.

Ron and Shirley have been active in 3 churches in this area. Their family spent their growing years at Santa Rosa First Christian Church (now Westview Christian Church) where Ron first became an elder and Shirley learned to lead a choir. From there they helped plant a church in Windsor where they learned a lot about church family life and leadership. They consider it a privilege to have found out about New Day Christian before it began and to be involved with the great leadership team at New Day from the start.

Ron retired from Agilent in June of 2007 and began a semi-retirement that includes his current role as the executive pastor at New Day. He also has completed his MBA and hopes to teach in the college environment. Shirley is not retired at all and continues a full schedule of family and volunteer activities that include serving as the administrative assistant to Ron, Dustin, and Keane in the New Day office.

When they do have “down time”, Ron enjoys reading. Shirley enjoys gardening and sewing/craft activities. When they can both focus on the same project, it usually turns out really well!