Pastor Ray was licensed for ministry in 1962 by Gospel Fellowship Association in Greenville, SC and was ordained in 1970 by the Faith Baptist Church in Easley, SC. He began his full-time ministry as a teacher, teaching in both Christian schools and colleges. Before coming to CBC he held pastoral positions in DE, and PA. In 1976, he became the founding pastor of the Independent Bible Fellowship church in Harrington, DE, a position he held until 1982. In 1984, Pastor Ray became the pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Glen Burnie, MD where he served for 17 years.

Pastor Ray became a Chaplain with Good News Jail & Prison Ministry. His ministry with GNJ&PM brought him to Carroll County as the chaplain at the Carroll County Detention Center in 2002.