I grew up in a neighborhood where resources and opportunity were limited. My life and times consisted of gangstas to the left of me, a drug house to the right of me, crack heads on the block and little money to afford the finer things in life. Although my parents worked hard, they couldn’t always afford to buy me the latest gear, so as a result I got teased a lot for wearing my Payless shoes and K-Mart clothes. What made things even worse was my family’s dedication and faith in Christ, which basically meant that I couldn’t listen to LL Cool J, Michael Jackson or NWA rather, I listened to Holy Hip Hop, like I.D.O.L. King, SFC and Stephen Wiley’s Bible Break (for my old school holy hip-hop heads). Soon, God’s word and godly things surrounded my entire life though I had not yet committed my life to the Lord.

The neighborhood school began to have a negative influence on me so my parents transferred me to a Christian private school, which of course they could barely afford. My parents made this sacrifice because they believed it was essential that I receive a Christian education and had godly influences. Initially, it was hard because at school everyone was white and all my neighborhood friends were black. It was like going from one world to another, but the love of the teachers and students helped me to adjust and also played a key role in my conversion. Finally, at the age of 12, fearing the wrath of God and His judgment, I committed my life to Christ.

With a new life secured, I decided in high school that I was not going to be poor but able to buy nice things, so I entered a law and government magnet program determined to become lawyer, make six figures, drive a Mercedes, and have a house in the suburbs. In my junior year I went to a retreat and the speaker encouraged us to make Christ the number priority in our lives. When I came back, I was under the impression I did just that. However, one day at school during lunchtime, the Holy Spirit began to speak. It was almost like He said (not in these exact words) “Ray you’re here pursuing a law career because of where you were raised and the things you didn’t have in life, but when you die can you take the house, cars, and clothes with you? Will the knowledge you attain be worth much when you die? If you were to die today would I ask you the amount of money you made or what kind of car you drove? No! The only thing I care about is, did you know me, and if you knew me, did you bring me glory?” Hitting me like a ton of bricks, it was at that time that I decided to “Lay up for myself treasures in heaven.” At the end of High School I decided to attend Biola University to study the Bible. From there I received a BA in Biblical Studies and an MA in New Testament theology from Talbot School of Theology. I no longer had an agenda for myself and was concerned only with God’s will being accomplished in my life. To God be the glory, honor, and praise forever and ever Amen!

RAYZA
Hebrews 4:12