The smell of gasoline and the noise of engines at a racetrack may not be where most people expect to find their pastor on a Saturday night — but that is exactly where you would find my dad, the “Faster Pastor,” Ron Lasley.
Many pastors don’t stay long. In fact, nearly half leave ministry within their first five years. My dad knew those struggles well. He pastored mostly smaller churches, faced opposition, navigated conflict, and experienced seasons where quitting would have been easier. But he didn’t quit. He stayed the course — and he finished the race.
My dad went home to be with Jesus on May 2, 2026, following complications from open heart surgery. While we miss him deeply, he left behind a legacy worth remembering—and one I hope will encourage pastors, especially those serving in small churches, to run their race and finish well…