ElderBorn in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ray grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida enjoying water sports such as swimming, boating, fishing, and skin and scuba diving. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Ocean Engineering and then went to the University of Texas in Austin, where he met his wife Linda. In 1971 Ray entered the Navy and spent 16 years of active duty as an engineering duty officer, received his Ph.D. from the Naval Postgraduate School and eventually was transferred to the DC area in 1979 to do research, development and design of submarines.
Although raised in a Protestant religious heritage and thinking he was a Christian, it wasn’t until 1979 that Ray began to seriously wrestle with the claims of the Bible and the truth that salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ alone and not of works. Finally, in 1981 and at the age of 32, Ray received Christ and, as a result, experienced a dramatic change in life direction. During the following years, Ray grew spiritually, served as an elder in the church where he became a Christian and later served as a staff pastor. During this time, Ray attended Capital Bible Seminary, graduating in 1995. While in seminary he supported his family by consulting for the Navy in the area of submarine hydrodynamic research, development and design, which he still does. Ray came on the Elder Board at RBC in 1999.
Ray considers himself “leisure impaired” but enjoys regular exercise. In years past he was an avid tennis player and he sometimes dreams of a future “comeback,” but that will likely never occur! Ray and Linda enjoy travel, especially to scenic areas to enjoy God’s creative majesty. They also travel as frequently as they can to see their two children, their spouses and eight grandchildren.
Ray’s passion is teaching people the Word of God so they may see the glory and majesty of God and all that He has for us in Christ. He teaches and shepherds the Bereans’ Adult Bible Fellowship class on Sunday mornings and a men’s class on Wednesday mornings as part of Training Faithful Men. Linda also teaches a ladies’ Bible study, and they both are involved in counseling. Ray and Linda both enjoy practicing hospitality in their home in Leesburg.
