Ray is a young man serving the Lord in Victor, Idaho. 

 

Todd:  Brother Ray, could you share with our readers first about where you grew up and how you came to know Christ as Savior?

Ray:  I was born and raised in Buhl, Idaho.  I grew up attending Magic Valley Baptist Church all of my life.  I also attended the Clear Lakes Christian Academy which was a ministry of the church.  I remember attending church basically any time that the doors were open, whether I wanted to or not.  The older I got, the more in the way church got and kept me from doing the things I wanted to do.

In High School, I began to get further from the Lord with my attitude and some behavior.  I always had to be careful because Buhl is a small town and every one knows every one.  I had to play the part of the good kid around certain people, and fit in with the rougher crowd when that suited my desires.

The Lord began to get a hold of my heart the summer of my junior year.  A friend of mine, Les Lipskoch, wanted me to go to Red Cliff Bible Camp, but having been there before, and knowing what I would hear, I did not want to go again.  Finally, after much pressure, I went and the Lord convicted me of what I was doing with my life.  I believe God started the work there.

I decided that I wanted to study to be a Youth Pastor and help kids that were having problems.  After I graduated from High School, I went to Pensacola Christian College to study.  It was there that the Lord began to show me that I had not accepted Christ as my Savior.  I was living the life, but Christ was not alive in me.  In January of 1993, on the way back to college, we were in a car wreck.  No one got hurt, but I knew what could have happened.  The Lord used that to work on me, and finally on March 7, 1993, at 8:00 p.m. Central Time, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.  I thank God that He used Pastor Colan Deatherage, now in Pocatello, Idaho, to lead me to the Lord that night.

Todd:  Before your current ministry in Victor, tell us about your time in Rexburg, Idaho.  What answer to prayer do you remember the most when you lived in this town?

Ray: I came to Rexburg and Grace Baptist Church, December 1, 1998, to work with Pastor Richard Hartman.  This was to be a one year internship with him through Northwest Baptist Missions.  Through a variety of circumstances, the one year extended until August 19, 2006; and had the opportunity to serve as the Youth Pastor, the Interim Pastor (of sorts), and the Assistant Pastor.

Probably the prayer request that I remember God answering most was when the Lord brought Pastor Joe Lacy in to be the Pastor.  I had been the Interim Pastor (of sorts) since Pastor Hartman had moved to Lander, Wyoming.  We had been looking for a REAL Pastor all during that time.  God led the members of Grace Baptist to call Pastor Lacy.  I am very thankful that he is there.  The ministry is growing and God is using Him.  I know that the Lord is using Pastor Lacy far more than He could have used me in the same situation.

Todd:  And now that you are serving in Victory, Idaho, what would be your central heartbeat for this place?

 

Ray:  My desire for Victor is to see an established Fundamental Bible Preaching Church here in the community.  Currently, there is not a Fundamental Church in the entire Teton Valley.  There have been several attempts at this, but as of yet, nothing is firmly established.

Even more important than see the church established, I desire that people learn of the love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and even the judgment of God.  Most people here have a take it or leave it attitude about God, and I pray that God will use me to show them, from the Bible, that God is real, and must be real to them as well.

Todd:  What promises in the Bible encourage you in your endeavors?

Ray:  There is one promise that I go back to regularly.  First Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”  This promise means a lot to me because I know more and more every day that the Lord has called me to Victor.  The work here is progressing slowly; in fact, many times I am the only one who comes to the Bible Study.  The Lord uses this verse to help me remember that even though people might not come, He is still touching their lives.  I learn of that through comments made and conversations that I have with those I meet.  There is hardly a person in Victor that does not know of the Bible Study, so I know that God is working.  I am not sure how long it will take for God to establish His work in Victor, but I know He will. 

Todd:  Last of all, please tell everyone where you meet for services and what you are studying.

Ray:  This is a hard question because of the lack of consistency in the attendance.  When there are folks there, we focus on God establishing His work in Victor, and in changing our lives through the power of His Word.  I want people to understand that God can use His Word in us, and has a personal message for us all. 

When I am alone, I focus on the promises of God and the encouragement and direction He is giving me in my life.  I also spend a lot of time in prayer for the folks here in Victor.

Todd:  It is an honor to have you as my friend, Ray.  God is going to do great things in Victor, Idaho.