JOHN RAY has been, at various times, a bartender, bouncer, summer camp counselor, ranch hand, real estate agent, bus driver, spin class instructor, saddle stitcher, hunting guide, junior high teacher, lifeguard and blogger. He’s also done every job there is to do in a restaurant.
In addition, he has spent the last thirty-odd years serving in a wide variety of ministry roles:missions pastor, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement instructor, Youth With A Mission staffer and international outreach leader for Arkansas Athletes Outreach. He also has twenty-five years of experience as a conference/retreat leader and speaker.
John holds a Master of Divinity with a concentration in spiritual direction and discipleship from George Fox Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He's pursued opportunities in a number of countries including Bangladesh, Belarus, China, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Holland, Honduras, India, Jordan, Latvia, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Panama, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States — specifically in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he's served since 2008 as the lead teaching elder at Grace Church of Northwest Arkansas.
John's a good listener and an excellent judge of fine beer and food trucks. He knows from experience the wild, persistent, unequaled, overwhelming, redemptive, loving nature of God's grace.
And he wants you to know it, too.