From the time Ron Stretter enrolled in college, he knew he wanted to work with youth. Following this inclination, he spent his college summers at Wawona Summer Camp in Yosemite National Park. He enjoyed his experience so much that he switched from a business major to theology, as he felt called to the ministry.

True to his calling, Stretter enrolled in seminary after graduating from college. After seminary, he served at various churches, including Oakland-Grand Avenue, Redding, San Andreas/Angels Camp and Sutter Hill. In 1973, Stretter assumed an associate position in the youth and family department at the Northern California Conference.

After working there for three years, he accepted a position as the youth director at the Ohio Conference. He then worked as the youth director at the Columbia Union and later as an administrative pastor at the Pacific Union College church. He finally returned to the NCC youth and family department, where he has served for the past nine years.

After more than 30 years of working with youth, Stretter has entered a new phase of his ministry at the Napa Valley Adventist Retirement Estates (NVARE) as the new administrator as of November 2005. Stretter assumes the responsibility of providing a safe and enjoyable environment for Adventist seniors to spend their active retirement years in.

When asked why he turned his ministry focus to Adventist seniors, he explains that the new role will allow him to “spend more time with [his] family” and enable him to help the “constituency become more acquainted with the ministry of NVARE.”

Further, Stretter believes in the vital service that NVARE offers. “NVARE is a good opportunity for seniors to transition from independent living at home to independent living at NVARE, with both an Adventist and healthy-lifestyle environment.”

Sretter's cumulative experience will prove useful as he transitions to his new role, as he likens the mission of NVARE to that of youth ministry. “We provide a sort of 12-month seniors' camp with meaningful activities,” he said. “We’ve got the four Fs: food, fellowship, faith and fun.”

“Ron Stretter has been a valuable asset to God’s work in the NCC,” said Ricardo Graham, NCC president. “His work with Pathfinders, his detailed planning for mission trips and his invaluable participation in many committees will be missed.”