The Gathering

Each lecture from this series is now available. As there are costs associated with this process, if you would be so kind to make a donation of any size you will receive any or all lectures from this series in CD or mp3 format. Feel free to listen to a sample clip from each lecture below the speakers bio.

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Ron was born in Manhattan, and grew up in Madison, New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. After college, he joined IBM in systems and marketing of mainframe computers. In 1975, he left IBM to pursue full time ministry. He graduated from Biblical Theological Seminary with an M. Div. in 1978 and subsequently pastored a church until 1985. In that year, he started a consulting business, Computer Support of North America, that grew to be a major installer of Local Area Networks in the United States. He has since started two other businesses and is currently CEO of Radixx International, Inc. which provides reservations systems and hosting services to thrity airlines on five continents.

Ron speaks extensively to Bible studies, retreats, churches, and other groups. He is particularly active with ministries reaching businessmen. In 1981, he participated in starting a new interdenominational seminary in New Jersey (first in 140 years), Regional Seminary of the Northeast. Ron was president of Regional Seminary from 1981 until 1989.

Click below for a portion of his talk.

Kent is the Director of LIFE Community at 1st Presbyterian Church of Orlando.

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Leon Handley, Of Counsel, practices with the firm Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell. His practice focuses on civil trial defense work. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and is a member of The Florida Bar, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel, the American Judicature Society, and the American Bar Association. Honors have been received by Leon from The Best Lawyers of America, Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in the World. He is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, the Fifth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

For more than 50 years, Leon has had a successful legal career practicing in Orlando. He has traveled extensively, lecturing on the subject of trial practice and has acted as a master of ceremonies and a keynote speaker for many events. He has also been involved in a number of local community organizations, including serving as Past President and Life Director of the Central Florida Fair, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of WMFE, Past Chairman of the Community Service Award Committee of Walt Disney World® and a Trustee of Lake Highland Preparatory School. Positions held with corporate affiliations include Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Beneficial Savings Bank; Past President and Director of the Southern Industrial Savings Bank; Vice President and Director of Claude H. Wolfe, Inc.; President and Director of Cracker Groves of Florida, Inc., and President and Chairman of the Board of Mine and Mill Supply Co., Inc. of Lakeland.

Leon earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with honors, and his J.D., both from the University of Florida in a total of four years. Before attending college, Leon was a Warrant Officer in the United States Maritime Service, with sea duty to Italy. He served the country overseas in Korea as a Sergeant in the Army and was the first Air Force Cadet Colonel in Florida R.O.T.C. history. At the end of his military career, Handley retired as Captain in the United States Air Force Reserve.

Click below for a portion of his talk.

Before Narrow Gate ever started, Bill and Stacy Spencer were a young married couple with no children living in Kingston Springs, Tennessee. “Neither of us ever desired children nor did we attempt to get pregnant”, Stacy says, “we just didn’t feel the call to have a family or children of our own. We do remember dreaming about having a little fishing cabin and maybe helping less fortunate kids by exposing them to the beauty and majesty of creation. But, those were just dreams. We continued on with building our lives, starting a business and doing the standard American life until October 13, 2002, when God dramatically invaded our hearts and we committed our lives and all we had to furthering His Kingdom.” Not long after, the Spencers were introduced to a young man named Adam Stoner. He was 19 and without passion or purpose in his life. After speaking with Adam during a lunch organized by his parents, the Spencers invited Adam to come stay with them for a few days. On the second day, Bill told Adam, “I’m not sure why you’re here…but if you’ll be patient with me and together we’re patient with God…He’ll show us.”

This was the beginning of Narrow Gate, although they didn’t realize it at the time. Bill and Stacy continued to open their hearts and home to young men and by the end of 2004, they had 7 young men living in their 3-bedroom/ 2-bath house. They realized God was up to something. The changes in the young men were evident enough to the families that they agreed to ‘organize’ into a not-for-profit entity and launch a ministry to continue helping other young men and their families. What started out as simply loving people and living the life of Christ before others, began to develop into a uniquely designed life discovery experience for young men ages 18-25 who desire to take a “pause” from the distractions of life as to discover who they are and what their purpose here on earth is all about.

The Spencers eventually sold their home, lived in rental property and then, in 2006 the ministry moved to its permanent home…122 beautiful acres in Hickman County, Tennessee. An 8,500 square foot log-style lodge and two barns were the structures included in the acquisition of the property. In 2008, the Narrow Gate family worked together to raise an additional $180,000 (beyond our annual operating budget) to convert the 5,000 square foot barn into a multi-use facility that includes additional housing for our Community guys, additional showers and laundry facilities, a small utility kitchen, a prayer room, a meeting/teaching room and a large multi-purpose room complete with excellent audio visual capabilities for large events like graduations, large Bible studies, worship events and weddings.

Click below for a portion of his talk.