Chaplin Ray Smith and Wife Chisuk

It is our privilege to welcome Chaplain Ray Smith to our congregation as a candidate for the pastoral position.

Ray’s journey of faith is a testimony to God’s grace and calling. He did not grow up in a Christian household, but during his high school years, he became curious about the Bible and began searching for answers. It was during this time that Ray experienced being born again and began his personal journey of following Jesus Christ.

For a season, Ray walked without a church home, but God faithfully brought people into his life who helped him grow through discipleship and spiritual formation. This experience helped shape his deep conviction that believers need biblical teaching, community, and intentional discipleship.

Ray went on to pursue theological education and was called to serve as an Army Chaplain, ministering to people from many different cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences. His years of military ministry strengthened his passion for missions, international cultures, pastoral care, and reaching people for Christ. He has a particular appreciation for international churches and believes they can play an important role in equipping and training believers to become effective missionaries and witnesses for Christ around the world.

At the heart of Ray’s life and ministry is a commitment to God’s Word, personal holiness, prayer, and continual spiritual growth. Ray and his wife, Chisuk, have made it a practice to read through the Bible together each year. Ray also participates in a neighborhood Bible study currently studying the book of Revelation. His personal devotional life includes daily Bible reading and intercessory prayer. He intentionally divides his prayer list across five days, allowing him to pray specifically for different groups of people and their needs.

Ray believes that following Christ is a lifelong journey of learning, growing, and becoming more like Jesus. His ministry is grounded in the authority of Scripture and the essential truths of the Christian faith, including the Trinity and the saving work of Jesus Christ.

As a preacher and teacher, Ray seeks to communicate God’s Word clearly, bringing together biblical truth, historical context, and practical application so that people can understand how Scripture speaks into their everyday lives.

Ray has a heart for pastoral care, discipleship, church growth, international missions, and building meaningful relationships within the church. He believes in welcoming people, developing believers, equipping Christians to serve, and helping the church become a place where people can grow deeper in their relationship with Christ.

Beyond ministry, Ray and his wife, Chisuk, have been married for 38 years. They have one son, who is 37 years old. Their family journey and years of ministry have given Ray a wealth of experience, perspective, and a heart for people in different seasons and stages of life.

We are grateful for the opportunity to get to know Ray and Chisuk and to hear more about their journey, their heart for ministry, and their vision for serving the body of Christ.

Please join us in giving a warm and heartfelt welcome to Chaplain Ray Smith and his wife, Chisuk, as we get to know them and prayerfully consider Ray as a candidate for our pastoral position.