Staff

Pastor:

Dr. Walt Ray and his wife, Sarah, come to us from South Texas but are originally from the Lynchburg, Virginia area. Both of the Rays are graduates of Liberty University with Sarah being in the first graduating class of nine students (current graduates are approximately 20,000 per year). Walt came to the Lord when he was eight years old when the young pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, Dr Jerry Falwell, visited his home. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving tours in Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. He says that during an especially vicious battle he  promised God that if he was allowed to live and get back home, he would do absolutely ANYTHING that God asked him to do. Almost fifteen years later, he was asked by Dr Falwell why he was not in school preparing for ministry and he vividly remembered the promise he had made to God. He enrolled in school the very next day and has served in churches in Virginia, New York, and Texas in various leadership roles. His favorite Scripture verse is still John 3:16 – "For  God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." Walt's favorite pastime is camping or beaching with his wife and two little four-legged children, Zorro and Hotrod.

Sarah grew up in Appomattox, Virginia where she learned to love the study of U.S. History. Her father was saved from a life of alcoholism through the ministry of the Elim Home for Alcoholics, another ministry of Thomas Road Baptist Church. The family started attending this new church after her father's salvation. Sarah was saved during a revival meeting at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox through the testimony of baseball great Bobby Richardson. During high school, she started working as a counselor at Treasure Island Youth Camp realizing the joy of working with people who need the Lord. She enrolled in Piedmont Bible College in Winston-Salem, N.C. and attended there for three years until the opening of the new Lynchburg Baptist College(now Liberty University)  in 1971 graduating with a degree in Music. After teaching in Christian schools for three years, she worked in management at Sears Roebuck until she met Walt and married him in 1984. Sarah feels that her teaching experience and business experience have helped her as a pastor's wife. She teaches a children's Sunday School class and Women's Bible Study and plays the organ or piano for church. Her favorite verse is Philippians 1:21 – "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." She likes to read, take photos, and explore historic sites.

Charley and Michelle Lofton:

Charley was born in McCook and raised in the Methodist Church. He says that he always considered himself to be a good Christian but found that he was attending church less and less over the years. He says that he was confused by some of the changes in doctrinal practice and Bible translations. After he met Michelle, he started attending her church in Lincoln and McCook Baptist and quickly learned that his beliefs were a long way from what he had been taught in church. Through Michelle's church, he attended a retreat at a Baptist youth camp in Colorado and surrendered to the Lord during one of the evening services. Since his marriage to Michelle, they have attended McCook Baptist where Charley serves as a deacon and songleader. His favorite verses are John 1:1-5 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." He also lives by I John 4:20 "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" Charley's favorite pastime is reading.

Michelle was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. She says that her family started attending a Baptist church after her father was saved when she was about eight. When she was in the fourth grade while visiting her Sunday School teacher's home, she realized that she was a sinner and needed salvation and made the decision to ask Jesus to come into her heart and save her. She met Charley in 2001 and married him in September of 2003. Since their marriage, they have faithfully served at McCook Baptist becoming involved in music and children's ministries. Her favorite Scripture verses are Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." and Ephesians 4:30 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Michelle's favorite pastime is any time spent with her husband and her twin sons Lance and Nathaniel.

Rex and Donna Carfield:

Rex and Donna were both born and grew up in McCook where they attended the same schools but she never got to know him. Things change! Rex grew up and was blessed to have a very strong Christian friend of his family who made sure that he and his siblings attended Sunday School. Rex says that his older brother accepted the Lord and that when he was telling the family about his experience Rex realized that this was something he needed too. But he just couldn't figure out what it all meant. It wasn't until many years later in 1968 that he heard the Gospel again and this time understood what it all was about and accepted the free gift of salvation. In March of 1999, God put Rex and Donna together in marriage. Rex, to quote him, "does whatever nobody else wants to do" at the church. He is a trustee, usher, repairman, manages the phone prayer line, and sings in the choir. His favorite verse is Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." He loves to visit with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Donna says that her Aunt Ruth always made sure that she and her sister were in Sunday School and church. After getting involved in the local church, Donna started attending the Assemblies of God church camp in Lexington, Nebraska, every summer. She accepted Christ as her Saviour the very first year at camp and continued to attend through high school. After living out of the area for several years and raising her family, Donna moved back home to McCook where she met Rex again. They have both served at McCook Baptist since their marriage in 1999. Donna is who you call when you need something done at the church from organizing special events, shopping for kitchen and bathroom needs, getting the weekly bulletin typed and copied, and singing in the choir. Her favorite verses are Philippians 4:6-7 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Donna loves to read and is rarely seen without her Ipad.