Severna Park Couple Collaborates On New Gospel Album

Eager to follow his older sister in learning to play the piano, Ron Ward Jr. began to develop his ivory tickling skills at a young age. When Ron’s sister quit her lessons, his teacher pulled Ron’s parents aside and said, “Don’t let Ron quit, because I think he has a gift.”

Except for a short break during college, Ron has played piano ever since. For the past 14 years, he has used his gifts on the staff of Severna Park’s Asbury Town Neck United Methodist Church as the minister of music, where he directs four choirs, rehearses for weekly services, and plays every Sunday. His father previously pastored the church beginning in 1987, and after graduating from Yorktown Business Institute, Ron moved to the area in 1990.

Ron has also worked as a music producer for over 20 years, released several jazz albums and a Christmas album, and played in bands including his own, Ron Ward Jr. and Friends. In 2020 he released an album with the same name.

His bride of seven years, Dor’Ray Ward, is a gifted vocalist. She shared that she learned nearly all that she knows from the women who led the music ministry in the Pasadena church of her youth. She now co-leads worship at LIFE Church Ministries in Brooklyn and assists with worship at Asbury Town Neck and a church in Gambrills.

Dor’Ray recently branched out into singing with local groups Rick and the Revolving Doors and Chosen Music, and she is focused on parenting and studying to become a certified personal trainer.

Reflecting on his musical career a couple of years ago, Ron realized that he had not yet produced a gospel album, and that doing so was “way overdue.” For nearly two years, he has been collaborating with Dor’Ray and many other talented musicians from their churches and the community on producing a gospel album. Four singles have been released, and the full album will come out in early 2026.

Years ago, injuries sustained in the line of duty as a fireman jeopardized Ron’s passion for playing the piano and the organ. He shared that he broke his neck, shoulder, ribs — everything on the right side of his body. Not only was his future as a musician called into question; initially, he was not even sure if he would be able to walk again.

“When I was in my recovery — of course you’re praying every day — I just asked the lord if he would spare me, I would play for him each and every Sunday. Because I was playing some here and some there, in and out. And so, he spared me, and I haven’t really looked back,” Ron said. “And that’s why I said this album is very special because it’s my dedication to him basically sparing my life, and my ability to walk, and even my ability to play.”

He added, “Sometimes my family will say, ‘You’ve got to take a Sunday off, Ron,’ and I’ll say, ‘No, I’ve got to be at church because I made that declaration.’ And then when I lost my mom in 2020, I know that this was always her vision for me, to do what I’m doing now. I know … she was very proud of my being the minister of music at Asbury Town Neck. (So) this album is kind of like a dedication to her as well.”

Titled “The Order of Service,” the album will include hymns, contemporary Christian music, gospel music, and original songs.

One of those originals, “Our God Is Here,” features Dor’Ray as lead vocalist — at her husband’s encouragement — and tells of God’s comforting, constant presence. With the single originally slated for release on Dor’Ray’s birthday in late July, Ron shared that it worked out in God’s timing and was instead released on his birthday in October.

“I knew she had the talent to do it,” Ron said. “I had this song that I knew fit her range and her style and her type of energy. So I asked her, would she do it?”

Dor’Ray shared, “He pushes me harder because he knows my capabilities, and like we said he’s a producer so he’s been doing this a long time … so even if I said, ‘I don’t think I can do it,’ he was like ‘No, you can do it. You can do it. I know you.’”

Dor’Ray also contributed background vocals on about half of the other songs on the album, which features the talents of many local musicians spanning the ages of 30 to 82 years old.

Great effort has gone into producing the album, though the Wards agree their motivation has little to do with money or recognition. Instead, they care about the eternal impact of the message it celebrates.

“My hope is that somebody would be — if they’re not saved through Jesus Christ — by listening to this album that somebody would feel (a) spiritual connection through the songs through this album, that somebody can relate to what we’re singing about in this album,” Dor’Ray said. “So I just pray that the words that we sing, maybe the chords that are being played, would penetrate somebody’s heart so that they can come to Jesus.”

She added, “Or, even if they do know Jesus, that they truly understand that whatever it is (they’re going through), God is always going to be with you, he loves you, he will never leave you, he’s there for you.”

The single “Our God Is Here” is available on Spotify and Apple Music. Ron plans to make the full album available in the new year through his website, which is currently undergoing updates.