Ralph Hall was born and raised in Northern Ireland, where from an early age, his grandparents faithfully brought him each Lord’s Day to the Armagh Free Presbyterian Church. His aunt and uncle also played a vital role in his spiritual upbringing, taking him to the Children’s Meeting at Dungannon Free Presbyterian Church every Wednesday. Reflecting on his early life, we are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul regarding Timothy: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:15).
It was after one such Children’s Meeting that young Ralph, while kneeling by his bedside, sought the Lord for salvation. Years later, as a university student, Ralph found himself once again kneeling at his bedside, this time re-committing his life to the Lord, marking a pivotal moment in his spiritual journey.
Not long after that, Ralph felt the Lord’s call to enter the ministry. In 1994, he enrolled in the Theological Hall of the Whitefield College of the Bible. Upon completing his studies, Ralph and his new wife, Tanya, embarked on their first ministry together, moving to Lock, South Australia, where Ralph served in the Free Presbyterian Church for two years.
When Ralph’s working visa expired, the couple returned to Northern Ireland, now with two young children born in Australia. In December 2003, Ralph accepted a call to minister at Tyndale Free Presbyterian Church in Belfast. For ten happy years, he faithfully served the congregation until a new calling began to stir in his heart—the Lord seemed to be leading him back to Australia.
In a providential turn of events, Ralph received a phone call from the chairman of the denomination’s Mission Board, inviting him to minister at the Free Presbyterian Church in Kingston, Tasmania, for two months. However, Ralph countered with the suggestion that he and his family relocate for two years, the duration of a temporary working visa. His proposal was warmly accepted, and in October 2013, the Hall family arrived in Tasmania.
Those two years passed quickly, and when the congregation extended a call for Ralph to remain as their minister, the temporary visa was replaced with a permanent one. In due course, the Hall family became proud Australian citizens.
Though none of us can see the future, we sincerely hope and pray that Rev. Hall will continue to serve with us for many more years to come.
