FBC Pastor Ray Spears is retiring
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Ray is only the second full-time pastor in the 109-year history of First Baptist. His 18 years here will leave an enduring legacy. Under Ray’s leadership, our traditionally Southern Baptist congregation joined the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, supported women deacons and pastors and instituted non-traditional Sunday School classes. We added a contemporary worship service, elements of which are now permanently combined with our more traditional service. Ray is a strong supporter of a unique cooperative ministry we are embarking on with McLean Baptist Church as we enter the transitional period between his departure and selection of a new pastor.
Ray was instrumental in the establishment of a Hispanic congregation at First Baptist and has played a crucial role in negotiating the issues that sometimes arise when two groups share the same facility. Other diverse groups, such as an Ethiopian Bible study, also use our building on a regular basis.
During Ray’s tenure, what began as a “mother’s day out” program for First Baptist’s stay-at-home moms has developed into a full-fledged preschool serving the entire community.
Ray presided over the 100th anniversary of First Baptist in 1999, dedicating a memorial garden. He reached out to other Herndon pastors after the September 11 terrorist attacks and spoke at a multi-denominational memorial service on the Town Green. Most recently, even as he planned for his retirement, he championed efforts to repair and renovate the stained glass window that is the focal point of the interior and exterior of our church.
His wife, Jerry, has taught in our children’s Sunday School department for 15 years, touching the life of nearly every child who has attended First Baptist. We see the results of her tender loving influence in every young person raised in our church.
Through the years, Ray’s vast knowledge of the Bible and its history, his abilities as a teacher, and his open arms policies for all people is something for which the members of First Baptist Church Herndon are grateful and blessed.
The church is planning a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. June 29 to celebrate Ray’s service; all present and past members are welcome to attend.
FBCH Deacon Board
Todd Weiss, chairman
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