Ray Family Update July 2023

Dear Praying Friends,

We are currently in the midst of a whirlwind schedule. The month of July concluded with a Bible Conference in Chelsea, Michigan, and a camp meeting in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. Needless to say, we have put a good number of hours and miles behind us as we travelled back and forth. The next few weeks include preaching in Morely, Michigan, and Virginia Beach, Virginia. In many ways, it has been quite taxing on our family, but what a joy it has been to preach as much as I have been able to preach. Our hope is that God has been and will be glorified and that God’s people have been and will be edified. By all appearances, the schedule will slow down drastically by the end of August. I must confess, once you get a taste for preaching more each week, it is hard to imagine going back to two or three times per week. For the life of me, I cannot understand these pastors who are satisfied with rarely preaching.

One of the great things about travelling to different churches and preaching is that I get exposed to so many different styles of leadership and I get to see what other churches are doing that may or may not be useful and helpful to our own church. It seems like every church is different and they each come with their own set of strengths and weaknesses. As I see these other churches, I am reminded to thank God for the areas where He has made us strong and beseech Him to make us strong where I understand we are weak. All in all, I see that I still have so much to learn and that I need to grow in the Lord in so many areas as a preacher and pastor. The truth is, everywhere we go the people treat us like royalty, but I know who I am and that it is only by the grace of God that I get to do anything for Him. If people only knew how little we preachers truly have it all put together!

Looking ahead, I would like to ask for your help with a couple of things. Regardless of what else you do, you can pray for God to supply the needs! First, in the next couple of weeks, we will be ready to print The Little Maid, a new children’s book. While this is a blessing, we have had to reprint so much recently (tracts, out-of-print booklets, etc.) that we need some help in getting it to the printer. I do not typically do this, but anyone who donates $7 or more (the cost will be higher once printed) to help with this, I will make sure you get a copy of the book. These books are more expensive because of the size and full-color print. If you are willing to help, you can do so by donating at https://www.givesendgo.com/thelittlemaid or by sending a check by mail to the address below with The Little Maid Book in the memo line. On another front, we are desperately trying to get our building project completed before the end of the year (a miraculous feat, to say the least). Phase one is complete! Phase two is on deck and involves our audio/video replacements, speakers, and such. All things considered, the expected cost is close to $30,000. We are praying for God’s timing and provisions and will move forward as we have the funds in hand! Even if you cannot help with these things, please continue to pray for (1) my daughter Hannah to be with child, (2) God to heal my wife and I of some complicated health issues, (3) the removal of some online articles hurting our testimony and the church’s testimony, and (4) the healing and growth of our local body.