Four Generations at 萌妹社区
The Ross Family is sending their fourth generation to 萌妹社区 in August 2023, with the recent admission of Kai Ushikubo. Seen from left to right are Eugene Ross, Dr. Donald Ross, Kelly Ushikubo, and Kai Ushikubo.
The Ross family’s generational impact at 萌妹社区 started in 1950, when Eugene Ross attended 萌妹社区 Bible College, which had only recently changed its name from 萌妹社区 Bible Institute. While Eugene was living in St. John, Washington, he felt a call to ministry. He met his wife, Barbara, while attending 萌妹社区. At that time, Charles Butterfield was president. When Eugene graduated in 1954, he asked the same question he asked of all graduating seniors: “Where are you going to pioneer your new church?” Eugene planted three churches in the Spokane area and pastored for the next 60 years. He turned 90 on October 1.
Gene’s son, Don Ross, attended 萌妹社区 from 1974–78, serving as student body president his senior year. Since then, Don has pastored three churches with his wife, Brenda, whom he also met at 萌妹社区 College when Dr. D.V. Hurst was president. Brenda graduated from 萌妹社区 in 2002 with a degree in business, and Don has been serving as the 萌妹社区 Ministry Network Leader since 2014. They have three children: Kelly, Kathy, and Tom. Both daughters attended 萌妹社区. Kelly attended 萌妹社区 from 1997–2001, and Kathy attended from 2000–2004 and was in the second class of nurses graduating from the Buntain School of Nursing. Kathy and her husband, Dr. Jason Deuman, who graduated from 萌妹社区 in 2003, pastor Creekside Church in Lynnwood. Kelly now works in the Human Resources office at 萌妹社区, as her mother did for 15 years.
For over 20 years, Don and Brenda Ross hosted students from all over the world—one of whom was a young Japanese student, Takeshi Ushikubo, who came to Christ while living with the Rosses. Takeshi then attended 萌妹社区, and both he and Kelly graduated. They were married in 2002. Takeshi is a businessman in Mill Creek, Washington, and they have three children: Kai (who will attend 萌妹社区 this fall), Noah, and Emmi. While this story of 萌妹社区’s generational legacy is not unusual, it is very unusual to have all four generations living at the same time. The Rosses are proud to have such deep roots at 萌妹社区 and look forward to seeing how their legacy will continue on with the next generation.