Hello

Dr. Ronald “Dee” Vaughan became St. Andrews’ Senior Pastor in December 2011. He is a native of Greenville, SC and is a graduate of Furman University (B.A.) and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. and D.Min.). “Dee,” as he is known to most people, has served as a student minister, a campus ministry intern, a hospital chaplain, a fire department chaplain, and, since 1982, has served as senior pastor of five congregations. Dee is married to Linda, a native of Gaffney and a graduate of Furman University. Linda teaches adult education for Lexington School District 2, fulfilling her passion for giving people a second chance at a high school degree and a better life. The Vaughans are parents of three children. Elizabeth Davison is a middle school special education teacher, wife of Pastor Josh Davison, and mother of Liam, Creighton, and Josiah.  Josh and his wife, Jen, live in Columbia, SC, where they both practice physical therapy.  They are the parents of Juliana and James, adding two more grandchildren to the Vaughan tribe.  Andrew also lives in Columbia where he works as a Lending Assistant for Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union. 

Preaching is Dee’s passion. He loves to present messages in unique and creative ways. You might see him wearing a backpack full of rocks, carrying a piece of rope, or portraying a child speaking to parents.  You can click this link to view recordings of some of his dramatic monologue messages.

Dee enjoys sharing his ministry through writing. He has written over one hundred adult Bible study lessons for Lifeway Christian Resources, daily devotionals for Open Windows and Reflections, and has published sacred drama and worship resources.

In 2015, Dee published his first book, “The Stories of My Life,” a collection of personal experiences that have taught him about God and the art of living. 

His second book, “Seeing in the Dark: Biblical Meditations for People Dealing with Depression” is based on Dee’s personal experience with depression and his work with depression sufferers as a pastor and counselor. 

A third book, “Making the Shift Worship Resources” gives pastors and other worship leaders tools for challenging their churches to be faithful and relevant in our quickly changing world. 

 “Messages from Mayberry,” is a collection of spiritual life lessons taken from Dee’s favorite episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. 

While sheltering down during Covid, the Vaughan family catalogued hundreds of funny experiences they’ve shared as a ministry family.  Dee wrote about each of those mirthful ministry moments in the book Laughing with the Saints: My Funniest Moments in Ministry. 

Don’t Let Go Before Dawn: Finding the Blessing in Your Struggle tells the story of how the biblical story of Jacob wrestling through the night against his unknown attacker, refusing to let go until he received a blessing from his struggle, offered Dee and other depression sufferers a way to understand depression and connect the journey of healing to our Christian faith. 

Dee’s most recent book, The Gospel According to Andy, highlights a Christian life lesson from each episode of the first two seasons of The Andy Griffith Show. 

Dee has taught religion classes at Anderson University, pastoral care courses at the T. Walter Brashier Graduate School at North Greenville University, and continuing education courses for pastors at the Thomas Herrington Bible Institute in Honduras.

Musically, Dee enjoys playing the guitar and banjo. He recorded a collection of songs he’s written through the years, “Singing in the Key of Dee” as a gift to his children and grandchildren. Dee has a passion for coaching people who are seeking a more abundant life in Christ. He loves to serve at St. Andrews because “I have a front row seat to see God do amazing things.”