An Old Man
and His Mower

At 82 years old, Ron Yount isn’t settling into a quiet retirement. Instead, he’s riding his lawn mower across yards throughout his community, serving as what he calls “the hands and feet of God’s love” to those in need.

A Calling That Couldn't Be Ignored

Ron Yount has always enjoyed being outdoors. As a teenager, he pushed a mower through his neighborhood, cutting grass to earn money for his first year of Bible College. Decades later, when COVID-19 forced him into retirement, that early experience would plant the seed for what would become a meaningful ministry.

“God and I began to have conversations about doing more yards as service work—mostly Him talking and me resisting," Ron recalls. The conversations intensified after Ron, at age 79, underwent triple bypass surgery. During his rehabilitation, he kept hearing God's clear instruction: “Cut grass."

Ron's initial response was filled with reasonable objections. “I listed a number of reasons why I couldn't do it now. I'm old, just had open heart surgery, live on limited income, don't have equipment," he explains. “But the message remained clear—‘I want you to cut grass.'"

After discussing this persistent calling with men in his small group Bible study, Ron finally surrendered to God's direction and launched “An Old Man and His Mower"—a service ministry where, as Ron describes it, he is the “Old Man" and the mower is “God's tool of unconditional love for my neighbors."

What began with two yards four years ago has grown to twenty. He's not alone in this work; one man from his Bible study has joined him on Saturdays since the beginning, and another offers Wednesday mornings to help. Together, these servants—Ron at 82 and his helpers in their 60s—are transforming their community one yard at a time.

Being the Hands and Feet of God's Love

For Ron, this ministry is about embodying Christ's example of service. “It's getting out of my church building and into my community, meeting people where they live and offering a service with no conditions that helps improve their lives," he says.

Ron focuses his lawn care efforts on those who need it most: widows and people with physical or medical conditions that prevent them from maintaining their homes. “I offer them a hands-on service that helps reduce some of that stress," he explains. “My mowing their grass gives them relief and hope. I tell them, ‘God wants you to know you're not forgotten.'"

The impact goes beyond aesthetics. Ron recalls one man with angina who was spending $150 per month—money he could scarcely afford—to have his yard mowed. “Now he has that $150 to help with his other needs," Ron says.

Staying Strong in Service

At an age when many would find pushing a lawn mower challenging, Ron approaches his ministry with remarkable vigor. His background as an athlete has prepared him well for this physical work.

“I have always been outside and physically active," he says. “I was a runner—10Ks and completed 5 marathons, rode my bicycle—in fact, it was on a bicycle ride at Oak Mountain State Park when I first experienced angina, went to see my MD and saved myself a heart attack. I also have hiked a lot."

Still, Ron is wise about managing the demands of his ministry. “I try to mow between 9-noon—rarely mow in the afternoon in the summer heat. Stay hydrated," he advises. The weekly support and encouragement from his Bible study group of 10-12 men also helps sustain him spiritually. “I'll do it as long as He gives me the strength," Ron affirms.

Lessons in God's Character

Through serving others, Ron has deepened his understanding of God's nature. “The Son of man came to serve and not be served—Jesus washed the disciples' feet—even the feet of Judas," he reflects. “God wants us to flesh out His love so others can see it."

This philosophy shapes his approach to service: “I mow unconditionally—some are believers, others are not, but I offer God's love to all as Jesus did. When you do service for the least of these, you do it for Him."

While Ron doesn't often push for spiritual conversations, his consistent presence and service create natural opportunities for ministry. “I have one elderly lady, 84, whose yard I have mowed for 3 years. She is alone—she has told me that some months I am the only person she sees," he shares. Ron has also driven her to medical appointments, including a hip replacement and two cataract surgeries.

“I talk with them about their situation and offer encouragement. I'm not pushy with them," he explains. As a friend observed, “It's like pastoral care with a mower."

Seeds of Revival

Though he didn't set out to create a movement, Ron's simple acts of service are inspiring others. “I think small group Bible study and service work are the seeds of revival," he says. “I have seen more people at my church joining small groups and beginning to do service work."

His ministry is expanding beyond lawn care. Recently, Ron and his friend Rick helped a disabled woman with her backyard and noticed other needs she had. “Today I will replace her mailbox for her," Ron shared. “Rick talked to some other men in our small group last night about making some repairs on her house. We can all make a difference."

Despite the growing attention his work has received, Ron maintains, “I am frankly surprised that this is even a story of interest—I'm just doing what God said to do. That shouldn't be news."

Humble Service

You won't find Ron wearing logo t-shirts or driving a truck with his ministry's name emblazoned on the side. “There are no logos on tee shirts or on my truck or equipment," he states. “It's never been about me—it's about Him."

His approach is refreshingly low-key: “I show up alone, do the job usually alone and leave." As a self-described “strong introvert—a quiet listener and observer," Ron isn't comfortable with attention, which explains why answering questions about his ministry doesn't come naturally to him.

When asked if he's ever felt like giving up, his answer is simple and definitive: “No."

A Message for Others

Ron hopes his story will encourage others who might feel inadequate to serve. “Know how God has made you and the qualities He has given you to serve in His Kingdom—what spiritual gifts you have and how they fit in your service work," he advises.

He points to Scripture for guidance: “Paul's writings in 1 Corinthians 12 about the body is helpful. I am old and I only have a mower. There is a place in the Body of Christ for your unique service, too. Open your heart to it."

How to Pray

For those moved by Ron's story and wanting to support his ministry through prayer, he offers specific requests: “Pray for my safety. My balance isn't as good as it used to be (83 in June and I'm starting to drift slightly to the left when I walk) and I'm using power equipment every day," he says.

He also requests prayer for protection—“Last year I encountered 7 yellow jacket nests while mowing. I'd rather not get stung this year. I now keep Benadryl in my truck"—and for those he serves: “Pray for those I serve—some are old and frail and need a physical touch, sense of hope, reassurance that God hasn't forgotten them."

The reality of his ministry is that it often walks alongside people in their final seasons of life. “In this ministry I see people pass on to be with the Lord every year. Pray for those families to know God's peace," he asks.

And with practical needs in mind, he adds, “My 1999 Ford F-150 has some repair issues—pray for assistance in keeping my truck running."

Ron Yount's story reminds us that age, physical limitations, and modest resources need not be barriers to meaningful service. With just a lawn mower and willing hands, this octogenarian is demonstrating that when we respond to God's call—however unconventional it might seem—we become channels of His love in ways that transform both communities and individual lives.

How to Support “An Old Man and His Mower”

While Ron’s ministry is not set up as a non-profit organization, those wishing to support his work can do so through several channels:

CashApp: $mowerman628

Venmo: @Ronald-YountJr

Mail: PO Box 191, Pelham, AL 35124

Email: ronjryount@bellsouth.net