From the rice fields of Vietnam to prison to a ministry in prisons that has touched thousands of men, Ron Brandon’s life exemplifies the true and authentic meaning of grace. Ron’s life, much like the life of the Apostle Paul, is a life God has used to be a pattern of long-suffering for others to follow. If God can take this Marine combat veteran who left the service of his country to a service of sin and crime, He can use anyone. Ron’s raw honesty, his love for Jesus, his love for those in prison, and his years of dedicated service to the ministry to which God has called him makes this book, not a trumped-up story—but a living testimony of the power of the gospel that is still working in the author today. “A Smoldering Wick” is a must read if one wants to know about the power of the Gospel!
Pastor Bob MacGregor
Lead Pastor
City Harvest Church
Vancouver, WA
As a former officer in the U.S. Navy, assigned to Vietnam
during 1965, I know what Ron went through. This book is an open explanation of how PTSD has affected so many, including myself, and it was so refreshing to see how God set him free. It is an insightful read, and demonstrates how veterans and
ex-offenders can escape the traps of an elusive enemy and, the past, no matter how traumatic they have been! Courageously raw and real!
Michael G. Langsdorf, JD; MBA
University of Washington
Former Professor, Marylhurst University; Clark College,
Vancouver, WA
Attorney at Law (ret.)
Vietnam Veteran, United States Navy
Ron’s story is an example of overcoming the trappings of the world to lead a life of service to a forgiving God. As a Vietnam Veteran, I understand how difficult life can be when you have experienced the horrors of combat. Ron overcame obstacles, over and over again, from a difficult childhood through an unpopular war, to the lure of the criminal life, to become the man of God that he is today. Each time the Lord picked him up and dusted him off, because our Lord was not through with him. I had the pleasure and some of the grief of knowing Ron through part of this amazing transformation. God knew the value of Ron’s life experiences in assisting those who had also fallen.
Jerry Keen “Doc”
CMDCM, United States Navy (retired)
Director, Point Man Ministries, Vancouver, WA (chapter 3)
I have partnered with Ron and Donna in doing events in prisons for nearly a decade and have seen close to one thousand prisoners come to Christ through our band’s outreach. Their passion and heart for those in prison has been a shining example to me of what it truly means to walk beside the broken. Their faithful and steady presence has been a constant reminder to those they minister to that they will never leave them nor forsake them. Reading Ron’s story has given me greater compassion for what he and other Veterans have walked through and continue to walk through in search of healing and peace from their PTSD. Having worked through years of my own childhood trauma and abuse, I can stand beside them and say with confidence that here is hope, healing and peace as we press into God and the resources of His people!
Kate White,
Kate White Band
I have just finished reading “A Smoldering Wick”, a perfect title to a heart-wrenching story & life of my friend and brother in Christ, Ron Brandon. It is a MUST READ! It was emotionally searing! My heart agonized as I saw all he went through, from the horrors of Vietnam to surviving the evils and violence of maximum security penitentiaries. These prisons are some of the worst in the country. This I know personally as I ministered in them. All that he so honestly expressed, the mental and emotional daily damage that he suffered, unforgettably impacted me. The difficulty of his family childhood… the generational curse of alcoholism… the nightmares of the war, were all triggers that led to Ron’s choices of crime and prison. All of the pain & suffering—the remorse, guilt , nd shame that Ron carried—affected me deeply. I love my brother… and his precious wife Donna, as I ministered with them for years. I only knew the Ron Brandon that God redeemed, set free, and healed of all those things that haunted him. I see the awesome grace of God, God’s everlasting love. I have seen inmates that were led to Jesus who loved and respected Ron. Yes, he became a new creation as it tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17. God sure used for good what the devil meant for evil. The Ron that I know is a gentle giant & I am blessed to know Ron & Donna. I am
honored to be included in this awesome book and to be called their friend. Lord bless you two. Semper Fi my Brother. In His Love & Grip,
Mel Novak,
Soul-dier for Christ
Former Professional Baseball Player
Actor
Prison Minister
Skid Row Chaplain
Los Angeles, CA
Ron has given us a vivid description of the horrors of war. More importantly, he has given us myriad examples of God’s steadfast love for us even when we have had no love for Him. A great read for anyone who wants to be lifted up to a higher place!
Woody Ennis,
President
Asset Protection Professionals Inc.
Lt. Col. United States Army (retired) Chapter 4
“A Smoldering Wick” details the life of an American born in the middle of the twentieth century. From sweet innocence to the horrors of war, from white middle-class suburbs to homeless shelters, from depression and despair to redemption and transformation, the true stories touch the heart of our generation. ” Cameo” celebrities appear in historical context. We get the impression that Ron was always where the action was! And Ron still is living the abundant life he found in Jesus Christ. You will find this book compelling and entertaining. It will touch you!
Dr. Greg Romine
Called to Rescue Vancouver, WA
(Dr. Greg Romine has served as an International Evangelist,
Pastor, Church Planter, Educator for the last 47 years. With innovative ministries addressing some of the most difficult issues of our times. “Called to Rescue” is a ministry in partnership with Dr. Cyndi Romine, reaching children who are victims of sex traffickers. They locate the perpetrators and connect with law enforcement for assistance with the rescue and then help the children to recover.)
Ron’s service to country and God has been present in ministry and military for many years. His book “A Smoldering Wick” is a testimony and outstanding example of life in both good and
difficult times. This book is from the heart and will impact
millions of readers. Ron and his wife Donna, continue to
minister to the unreached, leading them to Christ and
simultaneously meeting humanitarian needs the new converts may have. His commitment to serving God and country is a total commitment just as in a marriage commitment, for better or for worse. I met Ron after he was in the Marines and after he spent time in jail. Fast forwarding, he now is in prison ministry, church and for the last five years, has served as a fellow officer in Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship in America. (FGBMFA) His strength and commitment continue as a marine and a warrior for Christ because, as Ron so succinctly put it, “God never left me nor did He forsake me.”
Arnold Rekate
CPA
President, Vancouver, WA chapter of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship in America (FGBMFA)
This book is truly an amazing and powerful story of how God’s Love and Redemption have flowed through Ron’s life to give him the strength that he needed to overcome a difficult and tortuous past. A gripping first-person account of his struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse that resulted in numerous instances where he repeatedly hurt himself and those around him, Ron gives insight into the life of a soldier, a criminal often on the run and, ultimately, a man of God who stopped running and committed himself to helping others who were walking the same path he knew so well. His account of personal transformation is a grace-filled testimony that is a great example of how God never gives up on any of us and how hope and faith can always overcome whatever trial we endure. Thank you, Ron, for your service to our country, for sharing your story and for your Ministry of reaching out to those imprisoned by their transgressions and working to help them break free to experience the saving power of our Lord.
Tom Iberle,
Executive Director
Friends of the Carpenter
Vancouver, WA
This book contains a heart-wrenching story that plummets us along a journey down into the pitch black of sin and despicable acts in war and peace at their lowest point and then sweeps us upward into the glorious light of the interventions of our Father in heaven, full of grace and truth. Powerful, dramatic and profound. If I were a vet or an inmate or ex-offender or just a lost soul, I would feel compelled to consider knowing the Lord of my life, and I think I would make a personal response to the message of hope and peace in Christ that resounds in this story.
Forrest Brandon
San Rafael Police Dept. Ca. (retired)
Crime Investigator (retired)
United States Marine Corp Sgt.
Vietnam Combat Veteran