Pastor Ragsdale grew up in North Miami, Florida. His home church was Northwest Baptist Church, North Miami, Florida with former pastor, the late Rev. Homer G. Lindsay, who also led him to Christ at the age of 8. Called into the ministry at the age of 19, he then attended Miami Christian College in Miami, Florida and Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo.

Moving to Alaska in 1981 the Lord opened up opportunities for an evangelism ministry. He traveled with his wife, Carol, as an Evangelist throughout Alaska and in the 'lower 48' holding revival meetings. Many lives were changed and many received Christ as their Savior in each meeting.  After 15 1/2 years in Alaska, they moved back to Florida where he served as an assistant pastor and was also ordained into the Gospel Ministry.  He then received the "Macedonian Call" from a national pastor who lives in Ghana, West Africa. He and his wife traveled twice to Ghana as Missionary Evangelist, Church Planter and gospel soloist. They helped plant three Independent Baptist Churches there and saw over 10,000 Ghanians openly profess their acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Savior -baptizing many of them. Several of these young men were called into the Gospel Ministry and now attend the Christian college in Ghana. After graduating, some of these young men are now pastoring churches. Pastor Ragsdale is still available for revival meetings as well as mission conferences in the United States.

December 2008 will mark Pastor Ragsdale's seventh year at West Marion Baptist Church. Under his leadership the church has 'rebuilt' the walls as did Nehemiah. The properties and facilities at WMBC were in much need of repair. Funds for a new roof on the office, church auditorium, fellowship hall, and kitchen were raised as well as funds for a new deck which connects the six portables used for Sunday School classrooms.

WMBC has also sponsored an evangelism outreach ministry at the Florida Sheriff's Boys Ranch where 80% of the boys who were there during this time made a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ and many of these same boys were baptized by Pastor Ragsdale. With the help of WMBC, Pastor Ragsdale also held several Neighborhood Gospel Movie Outreach progams and saw many people receive Christ in that ministry. During these past six and 1/2 years at West Marion Baptist Church, over 300+ people have received Christ, 50+ have joined the church and 50+ have been baptized. To God be the Glory!

Involved in world-wide evangelism, West Marion Baptist Church's web site has now been viewed in 40+ nations and other various individuals, groups, etc., have been watching and downloading sermons from the web site. We are now entering into a dvd ministry that will enable anyone to not only hear, but see Pastor Ragsdale preaching live on Sunday Mornings!