Ray Family Update from August 2018

Dear Praying Friends,

I am continually drawn to the words of Psalm 121:1-2! Obviously, I love the enlightenment that help comes from the LORD, but I also welcome the reminder to “lift up mine eyes” to the Lord from whence my help comes. The truth is that even on our calmest, easiest days, it is only with God’s help that we can make it through. However, this is most recognizable on our difficult days. The past few months have been more of the second sort for me and the month of September will be no different. These difficulties exist in the form of being overwhelmed with busyness of schedule rather than emotional or spiritual hardships. Even in these times, we require help from the Lord.

Antioch Baptist Bible Institute

Classes resumed on August 20th and we are excited to have a good number of students, both in-house and online. We consider ourselves especially blessed to have some pastors join us this semester as new students. We pray God will use the classes to minister to each of our students and to extend to those to whom they minister. For those who would like to view the archives of the classes, they are available on our YouTube channel and we encourage you to watch them at your convenience. For those who would like to join in for this semester, you may do so, but unfortunately, it is too late to do so for credit.

Publications

As anticipated, we were able to complete One Book Rightly Divided and it is now at the printers. It is hoped that the books will be delivered in the first week or two of October. The book grew to above 800 pages when we finally had to call it quits. There is still much to write about concerning rightly dividing the word of God, but we will have to post any future writings on the web. Between time and space limitations, we had to make the decision to stop and go to print. We trust that this work will be a springboard for God’s people to learn how to implement sound Bible study practices as they seek to learn God’s word and how to properly apply its truths to their lives. In addition to this, I expect the songbook to go to the printer in the next few weeks. This is perhaps the most exciting thing I have ever been a part of in my time serving the Lord. I trust this work will bless saints until Jesus comes!

Fountain Head 2018

Also coming up this month, September, we will host our first tent meeting in the Fountain City Park. Our people have been hard at work distributing door hangers, but we have much work to do. The meeting will be held Monday, September 17th through Friday, September 21st with Pastor Joe Cammilleri preaching. We thank God for the financial provisions for this meeting, but we still need some boots on the ground to make the meeting known to our community. If you can help us, please let me know. Any amount of time you can sacrifice to help us with material distribution would be greatly appreciated. It would not hurt our feelings at all if some of our friends from other areas came to Knoxville as a short-term missions trip. You could help us distribute tracts and door hangers and stay for the meeting. Please pray about what level of involvement God would have for you.

In spite of all the work going on in the ministry, the family front may be the greatest transition we are experiencing. Our two youngest children are beginning their education; our oldest daughter is completing her high school education; and our eldest son is starting his education as it pertains to married life. That is right! On September 28th, our son Noah will marry his fiancé, Julie Walker, and they will begin their life together as man and wife, a journey that my wife and I have been privileged to enjoy for nearly twenty years now. We ask that you pray for them that they will give themselves to the Lord and to each other and that God will greatly use them both for His glory.