Dr. Ronald Wayne Merthie was born January 20, 1951 to Oscar E. Merthie, Jr. and Lillie Bell Merthie, the sixth of eight children. He received his early education at Seminole County Schools and graduated from Crooms High School in 1968 as class president. He received a football scholarship to Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, where he won numerous awards and received his Bachelors Degree in 1973.

In 1973, he began his professional teaching career in Seminole County and later became an Assistant Principal and a successful Varsity Girls Basketball Coach. On February 14, 1975 in Houston, Texas, Ronald Merthie was born again and made Jesus Christ Lord after his involvement with drugs and wayward living. The same year, he received the Call to the Ministry, but did not begin until he received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit under the tutorage of Kenneth E. Hagin, Sr. in 1978.

Under the influence of Dr. Hagin, he was introduced to Kenneth Copeland, John Osteen and Dr. Frederick K.C. Price who had a great impact on his spiritual and ministerial growth. Under the mentorship of Apostle Frederick K.C. Price, Dr. Merthie was ordained and became a member of the Fellowship of International Word of Faith Ministries (FICWFM). He has been a member since 1991 and presently serves as a FICWFM Area Director.

In 1976, Dr. Merthie married his childhood sweetheart Ruth Lawson. The two were blessed to have four wonderful children and four grandchildren. In 1978, Ron and Ruth Merthie began a Home Bible Study and later established New Life Word Center Church in 1983. The present facility was purchased in 1989, which seats over 700 and a school with 25 classrooms. The two of them traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally establishing churches, and conducting crusades and seminars with the power of the Word of God. Dr. Merthie ministers the Word of God throughout Central Florida on The Lifestyle of Faith program, which is broadcast weekly on WACX. In 1995, Pastor Merthie founded New Life Christian Academy which serves students from K-12. He supports local Pastors, serves on many community boards and is very active in City and County government.

In 2008, Pastor and Mrs. Merthie received their doctorate degrees from Friends International in Merced, California. In 2009, Dr. Ruth Merthie unexpectedly went to be with the Lord after a very happy marriage for 33 years. This left a huge void in the Merthie family and in the New Life Family. In 2011, the Lord prepared an awesome woman of God who was more than competent to bring healing to Dr. Merthie, his family and the New Life church. He met and married Mrs. Patricia Mozee of Kansas City, Missouri on September 3, 2011, who also experienced the death of her husband after being married for 33 years. Mrs. Mozee was a long-time member and leader at Harvest Church of Kansas City under the leadership of his close friends Dr. Steve and Dr. Donna Houpe. Together, Dr. and Mrs. Merthie are continuing the work God has called him to do through “Building Families One Man At A Time.” A strong anointing rests upon Mrs. Merthie to minister to women and build strong team support in Helps Ministry.