Randolph STAFFORD

Randolph Poten Stafford ("Randy"), born August 27, 1946, was the second child of Ellwood and Loretta. He was born in the small town of Hamlet, North Carolina. Having a boy was an additional blessing to the couple, as their first child was their daughter Annette. His mother later married Clarence Roary, and they had two additional sons, James and John Roary. The family later moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Loretta accepted the Adventist message along with her children. Convinced that her children should be taught of the Lord, she sent Randy to Ramah Junior Academy until the 10th grade; he then attended East High School, where he graduated and then prepared for the start of a new chapter in his life.

His entrance into ministerial work was as a tent master for Pastor William Scales, where he was known to preach to the chairs after the nightly meetings. This experience was the first stepping stone toward his call to ministry. In 1965 he entered Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, with a Behavioral Science major, but the Lord had other plans for this aspiring man of God. He did not complete his matriculation at Oakwood, but later finished his education at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He received a Masters in Behavioral Science and Doctorates in Humane Letters and Divinity. In 1969, he used his educational background to work with youth as the director of the Health Horizons program, under the direction of Harold Wright. His college friend, Debrah Wright, also worked in the Health Horizons program. As they became closer friends, he asked her to be his girlfriend, or as we old folks say, “go with him.” They dated for two weeks, then he asked her to marry him. Three months later, they were married, on August 31, 1969. To this union was born Randolph II and April, who he lovingly referred to as “Brown” and “Truff.” His family was extended when April married Jonathan Rolle, and they had two children, Ashley and Jonathan II, whom he affectionately called “Ash” and “The Boy.”

Randy never lost his desire to become a pastor, and in November 1969 the opportunity presented itself. He was invited to Nashville, Tennessee to preach and his sermon was entitled “Mag Elle.” A tape of the sermon was sent to Elder Charles Dudley, the then president of South Central Conference. After hearing the sermon, Elder Dudley immediately gave Randy a call to pastor in one of the Mississippi districts. During his early ministry, he remained a community activist, working with youth, the NAACP, SCLC, and the Urban League. During his second year of ministry, he baptized over 100 people, and was named “Pastor of the Year.” Each successive year, he was known as the “Century Man,” for always baptizing over 100 souls. Three years after entering the ministry, he was ordained.

His ministerial path led him to pastor in several regional conferences, including South Central, Lake Region, Central States, and Allegheny East. He also held administrative positions, which included AY Director in Southwest Region. In 1983, Randy was called to be the Ministerial Director for the East African Union in Nairobi, Kenya. In 1985, while conducting a three week evangelistic campaign in Kisii, Kenya, he baptized over 3,000 souls. He was known in Kisii as "Nyakundi," a name given to him by the late Pastor Ogeto. The name is from Mwabogoko clan in Kisii for a person who is tall, well built, with some power. The name was to acknowledge that he was one of the sons of Kisii. He was blessed to have returned to Kisii in November 2015 for the 30 year anniversary. He was pleased to learn that as a result of the meeting in 1985, the Kisii Central Church was started, which later produced more than 10 churches. In 1986, he was called to the Eastern Africa Division to be the Director of Church Growth, under the direction of the then president, Bekele Heye.

After returning to the United States, he worked as an independent evangelist until accepting a call from Elder Alvin Kibble, president of Allegheny East Conference. In 1995, he was called back to South Central Conference, where he served as Assistant to the President for Public Evangelism and pastored churches until he retired in August 2012. He pastored over 31 churches throughout the United States and baptized over 25,000 people during his 42 years of ministry. He spent his last days traveling with his wife, visiting his children, grandchildren, and his fellow retired friends. He continued to mentor young pastors and served on boards, which included Breath of Life Ministries.

One of his favorite verses was, “Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it,” (Isaiah 58:14) and anyone that knew him can attest that God fulfilled this in his life. Pastor Randolph Stafford fell asleep in Jesus on February 4, 2016. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 46 years, Debrah Wright Stafford; two children, Randolph P. Stafford II and April Rolle (Jay); two grandchildren, Ashley Rolle and Jonathan Rolle II; a brother, John Roary (Kay); nieces and nephews, and a host of adopted daughters and sons in the ministry.

Family and friends are invited to a Graveside Service (11am) - Thursday, February 11, 2016 at West Memory Gardens Cemetery, 6722 Hemple Rd, Moraine, OH 45418.

Breath of Life Ministries, along with the Riverside Chapel SDA Church, cordially invite you to a Celebration of Life Service for Elder Randolph P. Stafford, Sabbath, February 20, 2016, at 5pm, Riverside Chapel SDA Church, 800 Youngs Lane, Nashville, TN 37207

If you would like to send a financial gift, please send to Debrah Stafford, 1112 General MacArthur Dr., Brentwood, TN 37027.

Professional services entrusted to Young Lusain Funeral Home, formerly Bowman Funeral Chapel.