Ray H. Streets Jr.
~ Lead
Pastor
Ray Streets, Jr. graduated from Grace College in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and later received an M.A.R. from Liberty University in 1991. In his early years of ministry, Ray Jr. worked with the youth of Emmanuel, serving as the Youth Pastor from 1975 to 1977. He departed from Emmanuel, to serve as the pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church from 1978 to 1981. He returned to Emmanuel in 1981, and has served as the Associate Pastor ever since. He and his wife Debi, (a.k.a. Archie), have been married for 32 years, and have two sons. Jared and his wife Nicole have a daughter and live & teach school in Baltimore, and Shane and his wife Janelle have three boys and live in the area.
Ray's reason for being in the ministry is simple--this is where he feels the Lord wants him. And after hearing many of Ray's sermons, it is clear to many listeners that the Lord is using him in powerful ways. One of his theological outlooks is that "Things are to be used, people are to be loved". A life verse that has impacted Ray Jr. is Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Also, Philippians 1:6 is a meaningful verse, "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." And the pastor also finds the words of Christ in Matthew 6:33 meaningful, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."