Pastor Ray is our teaching pastor/elder. He and his wife Lisa moved to Bakersfield as newlyweds in 1982 to attend CSUB for Ray to finish his collegiate wrestling career, and for both Lisa and Ray to complete college.  Ray transferred from Rio Hondo Jr. College where he was a state wrestling champion. At CSUB Ray earned his undergraduate degree in Philosophy, with a Religious Studies concentration. Lisa graduated with a teaching credential. After graduating he spent nearly eight years in Commercial Real Estate, focusing on structuring deals with fast food chains. During this time he desired to attend seminary, and began studying at the Master’s Seminary in the Master of Divinity program in 1992. Commuting to Los Angeles twice a week, he was able to complete that degree and receive his diploma in 1996.

In June of 1996 Ray and his wife, Lisa along with a small group of believers, planted Grace Bible Church. After a year of ministry Ray entered The Master’s Seminary again in order to work on a Master of Theology degree. In 2001 he received his diploma, focusing on New Testament studies.

In addition to full-time pastoring, pastor Ray enjoys coaching wrestling in the junior and high school programs at Bakersfield High School, where his two sons have been involved for over 8 years

Pastor Ray and Lisa have been married almost 30 years and have been blessed with 5 children and a son-in-law.