Ray Reynolds, Pulpit Minister
After being inspired by his grandparents, Ray moved to Florence, AL in 1996 to study at International Bible College. He began full-time ministry in Cloverdale, AL. He went on to earn BA, MMin and PhD degrees in Ministry. In 2003 Ray began posting his sermons, classes and blogs online. This is when the ministry of "Ray Reynolds Rap" was officially launched. This work is meant to bring a message of inspiration and encouragement. The ministry hopes to bless you to find your calling and inspire you to engage in your own distinctive and personal ministry. The primary goal is to help mentor, coach, and motivate you through sharing Scriptures by utilizing Bible studies, blogs, podcasts, and LIVE videos. In 2005 he began TITUS Camp on the campus of Heritage Christian University to train the next generation of church leaders. Ray started with Summerdale as a song leader, L2L coordinator and Bible class teacher in 2018. This is where he met his wife Misty. In 2019 he accepted the role as GTKYB Marketing Director, in 2020 he became the youth minister and then was asked to fill the role as the pulpit minister in 2021. In December 2020 Ray and Misty were married and began their own "Reclaiming Hope Ministry" in Summerdale, AL. In 2022 they established Peachtree Press, LLC to oversee their podcasts, blogs, produce faith based books, Bible study tools, journals and media resources. Click the links to learn more.
ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS
Studied Music Appreciation and Biology, College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, ID (1999)
Bachelor of Arts, International Bible College, Florence, AL (2000)
Emphasis in Biblical Studies and Counseling
Master of Ministry, Heritage Christian University, Florence, AL (2001)
Emphasis in Biblical Studies, Ministry, and Homiletics
Doctor of Philosophy, Trinity Theological Seminary, Newburgh, IN (2012)
Emphasis in Ministry, Homiletics, and Religion
Studied World Religions, Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA (2018-2022)
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Raised in the church of Christ and baptized by John Hendley on March 27, 1988 (Little, OK).
Preached first sermon at 13 years of age in Johnson City, TX.
Family moved around while in grade school and middle school (MI, MO, OK, VA).
Married to Misty (Till) Reynolds. Five sons, one grandson and one golden doodle.
MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
Began full-time youth ministry at 19 years of age in North Alabama.
Began full-time preaching in North Alabama at 20 years of age.
Campaigns, meetings, and seminars in AL, CO, FL, ID, MO, MS, OH, TN, TX, Canada and Cuba.
Youth Minister, Cloverdale Church of Christ, Cloverdale, AL (August 1996-August 1997)
Fill-in Preaching, St. Louis Ave. Church of Christ, Sheffield, AL (January 1997-August 1997)
Working on Sunday evenings/weekdays only, not conflicting with Cloverdale.
Interim Minister, Romine Church of Christ, Rogersville, AL (August 1997-September 1997)
Pulpit Minister, Collinsville Church of Christ, Collinsville, AL (September 1997-September 1998)
Interim Youth Minister, Oliver's Chapel Church of Christ, Collinsville, AL (January 1998- September 1998)
Working on Sunday evenings/weekdays only, not conflicting with Collinsville.
Pulpit Minister, Buhl Church of Christ, Buhl, AL (September 1998- December 1999)
Interim Minister, Gooding Church of Christ, Gooding, AL (September 1999-February 2000)
Working as needed while they re-started this congregation that had formally closed.
Pulpit Minister, Pine Hill Church of Christ, Waterloo, AL (February 2000-December 2002)
Pulpit Minister, North Broad Street Church of Christ, Albertville, AL (January 2003-March 2007)
Youth/Family Minister, Huntingdon Church of Christ, Huntingdon, TN (March-November 2007)
Pulpit Minister, Gulf Shores Church of Christ, Gulf Shores, AL (November 2007-August 2018)
Interim Minister, Meridian Church of Christ, Meridian, MS (August 2018-August 2019)
Minister, Summerdale Church of Christ, Summerdale, AL (May 2019 to PRESENT)
Working with Getting To Know Your Bible ministries, Youth Minister and then Pulpit Minister
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TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Conducted Bible classes, various teaching, and devotionals since high school in Rogersville, Missouri.
Founder & Director of TITUS Camp, Heritage Christian University, Florence, AL (2005-PRESENT)
Bible Teacher & Chapel Speaker, Snook Christian Academy, Summerdale, AL (January 2008-PRESENT)
Teacher of Christian Apologetics, South Alabama Christian School, Robertsdale, AL (2013-2014)
Adjunct Professor, Heritage Christian University - Gulf Shores extension (August 2014-PRESENT)
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WORK, TRAINING & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Teaching, preaching, and counseling among the churches of Christ since high school.
Assistant Manager of Auntie Anne's Soft Hand-Rolled Pretzels in Springfield, MO (1993-1996)
Manager of Chick-fil-A restaurant in the Regency Square Mall (1996-1997)
Directed and/or served at Christian Bible Camps including Happy Hollow in Strafford, MO (1996-1997, 1999),
Ney-A-Ti in Guntersville, AL (2002-2007), Mid-South in Hendersonville, TN (2007), and
GCBC in Lucedale, MS (2008-PRESENT)
Graduated in the last IBC class in 2000 (B.A.) and the first HCU graduate class in 2001 (M.Min.)
Graduate assistant teaching at Heritage Christian University in Florence, AL (2001)
Published over 100 books and Bible class study guides – most available online (2001-PRESENT)
Coaching recreation sports including baseball, basketball, and soccer in Waterloo, AL (2002),
Albertville, AL (2003-2007), Huntingdon, TN (2007), and Gulf Shores, AL (2008-2018).
Certified Dixie Youth Baseball and Softball Umpire (2002)
Certified in Lab I: Calling & Caring Workshop by Dr. John Savage, facilitated by Steve Cummings (2002)
Certified in the Fishers of Men evangelistic courses, facilitated by Ronald Maynard (2002)
Chaplain for Hospice of Marshall County, Alabama (January 2003-March 2007) Honored in September 2004 with Hospice Volunteer of the Month. Conducted grief and funeral services for HMC.
Advanced Homiletics Instructor and Assistant Director for Future Preacher’s Training Camp at Bear Valley School of Preaching in Denver, CO (2004)
Vice-President of Spring Baseball League in Albertville, AL (2006)
Coaching and teaching for Upward Basketball in Robertsdale, AL (2007-2008)
Website design and social media relations for churches and Christian organizations (2007-PRESENT)
Chaplain for South Baldwin Regional Medical Center (2008-PRESENT)
Foreign missions in Canada (2012) and Cuba (2016-2017)
Director of the Heritage Christian University - Gulf Shores extension (August 2014-August 2018)
Chaplain of the Snook Christian Academy football team (2018-PRESENT)
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MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
Served on the Recreation Board for the city of Buhl, ID (1998-1999)
Lifetime member of the Heritage Christian University Alumni Association (2000-PRESENT)
Served in roles as HCUAA Vice President (2001), President (2002), Executive Committee (2003),
and at-large Board Member (2009, 2011).
Served as Board Member (2007-2014), Secretary (2007-2009) for the Martha Mixson Scholarship Fund
Served as Board Member (2010), Secretary (2010-2011) for the Collinwood POA in Foley, AL (2011-2018).
Member of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce with the Gulf Shores Church of Christ (2013-2018)
Serving on the Strategic Planning Committee for Heritage Christian University (2015-2020)
Certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid (2022)
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INTERESTS
Ministry begins when an individual has been touched by the grace of God. It gives us passion that we cannot contain. I have been forgiven much and I want to share God’s mercy and love with others. I appreciate opportunities to encourage preachers, teachers, and missionaries who are dedicated to serving God. My hobbies include bird watching, working in my workshop, junkin, riding my bicycle, and hanging out with Misty and Lily! I also enjoy reading academic journals, religious books, Star Wars novels, Sherlock Holmes stories, and anything related to religious history. I love college football, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys, the LA Lakers, and donuts. However, my greatest quest is to guide my wife and boys to Heaven’s gates.