The life and legacy of his Grace Bishop Harold Calvin Ray

October 26, 1955 – May 4, 2025

Son of Joliet … a man of God, a man for all seasons

Class of 1973: Steelman, Joliet TWP Central HS,

A blessing and human form born to William and Earlene Ray, Bishop Harold Calvin Ray came from eternity into time on October 26, 1955, in Blytheville, Arkansas. Papa Ray was a man of great wisdom and integrity who taught his sons to be principal men. A committed Christian, Mama Ray raised Bishop Ray and his young brother Anthony in the All Nations Church of God in Christ and Joliet, Illinois. As a child, Bishop Ray made a lifetime commitment to love God, serve people, and live a holy life. He had many crowning achievements in the Joliet community. The solid foundation provided by the COGIC church formed an important part of the platform from which Bishop Ray launched into adulthood.

When Bishop Ray transferred to Oral Roberts University in his junior year, Dr. Oral Roberts quickly recognized his love of God, humanity, intelligence and extraordinary gifts. Bishop Ray faithfully and fervently served Dr. Roberts, traveling with him on various crusades, while also excelling academically and being elected President of the student body. For the rest of his life, Dr. Roberts loved Bishop Ray, like a son mentored him and covered him spiritually. One of Bishop’s Ray fondest memories is visiting the ailing Dr. Robert shortly before his death and being lovingly reminded that, if he could remember only one biblical principle, it should be seed faith.

Already an accomplished public speaker, Bishop Ray attended the Notre Dame Law School earning a Juris Doctorate degree. He then opened a lucrative law practice in Dallas, Texas primarily focusing on criminal and personal injury law. His life changed forever when the beautiful, vivacious God-loving Brenda Pikes came into Bishop ‘s office in need of a will. Bishop instantly knew he had met his wife. They married six months later. Within six years their beloved children, Christopher Calvin and Whitney. Nicole were born bringing them in inestimable joy.

However, West Palm Beach, Florida beckoned. Bishop Ray was recruited by a law firm in nearby Stuart. Unbeknownst to the Rays, a band of intercessors had been praying “for God to send a man, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, like they were seen on television”. Meanwhile, the Ray attended a Christian conference where Prophet Bernard Jordan challenged him to “Stop making a living and start giving life”. The raise prayed and faster for several weeks, while Bishop Ray wrote the vision that God was revealing to him. On Palm Sunday, March 24, 1991, the call of God and the intercessors prayers were answered when Senior, Pastor Harold Ray and Co-Pastor Brenda Ray founded Redemptive Life Fellowship to “Build a community to impact the world”.

In West Palm Beach, Redemptive Life had an immediate and significant impact. While shepherding and edifying hundreds of people and hosting a myriad of television and radio broadcasts, in his fourth year of ministry, Pastor Harold, as affectionately was known, constructed Restoration Point by the Lake, two state of the art buildings in the inner city comprised of a sanctuary, community center, elementary school and offices. Because economic empowerment for the undeserved was a core tenant of his vision, Bishop Ray built the Homes at Coleman Park, well- appointed, affordable houses in the blighted black community, which jumpstarted the revitalization of the entire neighborhood. His commitment to serving and elevating the masses was further shown by decades of service on the board of civic organizations like the Comprehensive Alcoholism Rehabilitation Programs and the Urban League of Palm Beach County.

Pastor Harold was ordained as a Bishop by the Azuza International Fellowship of Churches and Ministries and the Full Gospel Church Fellowship; yet he remained humble and approachable. A consummate gentleman, Bishop Ray treated people who stood in a traffic median, begging for a dollar, with the same dignity, grace and warmth as American Presidents and other world leaders he counseled.

Bishop Ray demonstrated his commitment to the unity of the faith and his utter disinterested in self-aggrandizement numerous ways, for example, founding and serving a CEO of the National Center for Faith Based Initiatives; serving on the board of the Henry Fernandez Ministries and Sunrise, Florida, Agape Family Worship Center in Rahway, New Jersey, and Christian Faith Center in Creedmore, North Carolina, which were led by his lifelong friends, Bishop Henry Fernandez, and Dr. Lawrence Powell, and Pastor Brenda Timberlake respectfully; convening international clergy of color for a meeting of United Nations and furtherance of its sustainable development, goals, covering financially supporting churches all over America and abroad and effectuating Redemption Life’s membership in the Global United Fellowship, while personally submitting to and diligently serving its former Presiding Bishop Neil C Ellis, who became his treasured mentor and friend.

Bishop Ray’s quest for excellence in every aspect of life is legendary. No one ever heard him say “That’s good enough”.  A man of order and elegance, Bishop Ray ‘s church services and meetings were flawlessly well-organized. His sermons had practical application for everyday life, yet were filled with fresh revelation, deep biblical analysis, words that the congregation had to Google, and humor. Wisdom flowed from Bishop Ray, effortlessly, as did apostolic leadership, strategic vision, and precise correction and compassion.

Profusely productive, Bishop Ray wrote 24 books. Always thirsting for more intimacy and knowledge about God, Bishop Ray returned to academia when he was 60 years old earning a Doctor of Ministry degree with high honors a few days before his sixty-fourth birthday.

Christopher and Whitley blessed their parents with seven grandchildren, Jahrel, Amare, A’myah, Chase, Major, Cailen, and Celine Rose.  Bishop was active, indeed instrumental and all of their lives and valuable an invaluable source of wisdom, guidance protection, provision, and most of all love.

Bishop Ray’s family was uppermost in his heart, mind, and thoughts. He returned to eternity on Sunday evening, May 4, 2025, while talking to Prophetess Brenda, the love of his life. Having poured out himself as a blessing, there is no doubt that in that instant, Bishop Ray heard the Lord and Savior say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Bishop was proceeded in death by his beloved parents, Earlean and William; his brother, Tony Ray; as well as his cherished sister-in-law and Executive Assistant Fern Miles, who was a pillar at Redemptive Life for 30 years.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Bishop Ray’s sorrowful survivors include his nieces, nephews bonus, sons, cousins any host of friends, and thousands of current past members of Redemptive Life.

In Loving Memory

All Nations COGIC Family & Friends