Rev. Ron Verblaauw

Ron Verblaauw holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Public Accounting (1978) from Pace University, New York City, and a Master of Divinity degree from the Theological School of Drew University (2012).

Prior to entering seminary, Ron worked in public accounting and in several corporate accounting, finance, and human resource positions. He left the business world in July 2010 to complete his studies at Drew as a full-time student. Ron received his first pastoral call to serve the Rutherford Congregational Church in October 2014 and was ordained to Authorized Ministry in the New Jersey Association of the United Church of Christ (UCC) in January 2015. Subsequently he served congregations in Cresskill and Montclair, New Jersey, retiring from active pastoral ministry in July 2024.

A lifelong aficionado of the pipe organ and sacred music, he has served as part-time Organist and Choir Director at United Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and UCC churches prior to his ordination.

Together with his husband, Emanuel J. “Manny” Meli, their blended family includes four adult children and nine grandchildren.