The Rays serve as IMB Strategy Coordinators for the East Central Region of Ukraine, which includes 3 oblasts, or Ukrainian states: Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, and Zaparozjya. This region is the size of state of Indiana, and has a population of 7.2 million people. Their task is to develop strategies with other evangelical believers to plant new churches in this region of Ukraine. Their vision is to see hundreds of new churches born which will in turn birth other new churches. They have worked with over 100 churches in some capacity in their region developing relationships with Ukrainian pastors and missionaries, seeking to cast a vision for planting new churches, organizing and coordinating short term volunteer mission projects, mentoring and leading training opportunities for church planters/missionaries, and developing prayer support and advocacy for the region.
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Mike, Linda, Rebekah and Hannah Ray were appointed by the International Mission Board in 1995, and moved to Ukraine in October of that year. After living in Kiev for about 11 months to study Russian, they moved to the far eastern region of Ukraine and lived in the city of Donetsk for more than 2 years. In November of 1998 they moved to the city of Dnipropetrovsk, where they now serve.
Before coming to Ukraine the Rays were in ministry for 15 years in the states, serving in Southern Baptist Churches. The church they left from to come to the field was the First Baptist Church of Martin, TN, where Mike served as Minister of Education and Administration. Mike also served First Baptist church in Bastrop, LA, Mount Olive Baptist Church in Crossett, AR, and Juniper Grove Baptist Church in Poplarville, MS.
Linda is very involved in prayer walking in the Ray’s ministry. Prayer is the most important part of starting new churches, as spiritual barriers must be broken down between the hearts of people and the gospel. We have seen God do some wonderful things through prayer walking, and invite you to come and go for a walk of prayer here with us.
Rebekah and Hannah are both students at Louisiana Tech University. They are both enjoying their college years very much, after having grown up in Ukraine. Rebekah is majoring in journalism and graphic design. Hannah is majoring in biomedical engineering. Both girls are actively involved in Calvary Baptist Church in Ruston, and also attend some activities at the BCM on campus.
If you are interested in MK (missionary kid) life, check out Rebekah's and Hannah's personal pages for more about them.
Mike is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston,
Louisiana, as well as New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is
a native of Crossett, Arkansas, and grew up in First Baptist Church, Crossett.
Linda is a graduate of William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She is a native of Poplarville, Mississippi, and grew up in First Baptist Church, Poplarville.
You can find out more current info about the Rays' ministry at Our Team Prayer Updates page.
To Contact the Rays Click Here
Telephone: (We are 8 hours ahead
of CST)
38-0562-47-86-25
FAX - 38-0562-36-14-83
Postal address:
Box 470, 49005 Dnipropetrovsk-5, UKRAINE
Stateside address:
801 Oak Street, Crossett, AR 71635
