Thousands affected by Ron's behind the scenes work

Ron Egner, 79, former Vice-President of Youth For Christ and Yeldall Manor, and Chairman of Novi Most International, died in November following a serious illness.

Ron served on the YFC board for well over 30 years. He first became involved in YFC while living in Wales in the mid 1960s, and then on his return to the Home Counties he was invited onto the board of British Youth For Christ. BYFC was struggling to survive and one of his first tasks was to visit the local YFC rallies to gauge and win support for strengthening the national movement. Ron worked closely with Derek Tidball, now Principal of London School of Theology, as Chairman of BYFC. Ron played a pivotal role in the appointment of Clive Calver as National Director, which led to BYFC becoming a leading player in the evangelical scene and in effective evangelism among teenagers. Ron served as Treasurer, Chairman and Vice President over various decades.

Ron’s friendship with fellow board member and evangelist Bill Yoder led to his involvement in Yeldall Manor, a Christian rehabilitation centre for ex-drug addicts. Bill and his wife Joanie established the work in the 1970s, with Ron helping to give it a viable organisational and business foundation. It was his business acumen that he also brought to bear in the work of Novi Most International among the young people of war-torn Bosnia. His involvement was partly due to the involvement of YFC colleague Paul Brooks.

As one tribute to Ron says, “We shall never know the thousands of people whose lives were transformed because of Ron’s behind the scenes work”.

Ron was converted to Christ through the Exclusive Brethren, but he left the sect as it became increasingly restrictive. He has been a member of various Baptist churches since serving as deacon at Mill End Baptist Church, Rickmansworth, and as elder at Stopsley Baptist Church, Luton under the ministry of Stephen Gaukroger. Ron was a lay-preacher with the Baptist Union

By profession Ron was an accountant, working for much of his life in the motor trade. He retired as financial and managing director of a group of motor companies in Hertfordshire in the 1990s. Tragically his youngest child, Ian died suddenly at the age of 15. Ron’s wife, Doreen, who had supported him in all his voluntary work died three years ago after a struggle against cancer.