The Journey to Becoming a Pastor: Pastor Ray’s Story
CLOVER, S.C. - Raymond Scott, or Pastor Ray as most people know him and the leader of Greater Things Ministry, has an inspiring and unconventional story of how he became a pastor. His journey wasn’t a typical one-he spent years resisting his calling before finally embracing it.
A life-changing car accident marked the turning point for Pastor Ray, who was unable to care for himself for months afterward. Reflecting on this challenging period, he said, “If I’ve got to move forward in my life, I want to move forward in a way I feel like I’m being called to.”
Looking back, Pastor Ray believes that everything in his life led him to this point, though he didn’t always see it that way. “At the time, I didn’t recognize these as stepping stones,” he said. Growing up, he was influenced by his family, especially his grandmother, who took him to church. “She used to tell me, ‘You’ll go down there when you believe in Him,’” Pastor Ray recalled, referring to the altar calls at church.
Before answering his calling to ministry, Pastor Ray spent much of his career in the auto industry, where he learned the importance of building relationships. “If you can’t build trust with people, you’re done,” he explained. This skill would later prove invaluable as he transitioned into ministry. “I knew that when I went into ministry, I would do the same thing-reach out to the community and build relationships,” he said.
Despite feeling the call to ministry, Pastor Ray’s decision to become a pastor did not happen overnight. “I retired at 46, but I didn’t become a pastor until I was 56,” he shared. For ten years, he struggled with the idea of ministry, unsure of what to do. It wasn’t until his wife’s unwavering support that he finally took the first step. “When I finally said, ‘I’m going to be a pastor,’ she said, ‘Go.’ And that’s when I started taking classes and serving the community,” he said.
Once Pastor Ray began his pastoral work, he was surprised by the realities of ministry. Initially expecting to be the “pious guy” leading services, he found himself moving furniture, picking up trash, and cleaning bathrooms, especially after events. “It was an absolute shock, but a good one,” he said.
Along the way, Pastor Ray faced numerous challenges, but his faith kept him motivated. He often draws strength from Jeremiah 29:11: “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good...to give you a future and a hope.” He explained, “Following your calling won’t be easy. There will be hurdles, but every time you jump over one, you grow stronger.”
In addition to his pastoral duties, Pastor Ray is deeply committed to serving his community. Several recent projects, launched in conjunction with amazing help of Lake Wylie Christian Assembly, surrounding churches, and Freedom Jeep Club involved delivering 3,500 blankets as well as 44 tons of food, supplies, and water to people in need in Asheville following the disaster in Western North Carolina. In addition, Lake Wylie Christian Assembly provided 485 toys to Bush Creek Elementary in the Marshall area.“You just have to be aware and listen to the opportunities around you,” he said.
For those considering a similar path, Pastor Ray offers this advice: “If you feel called, step out, even if you’re unsure. You may make mistakes, but that’s how you learn and grow.”
Pastor Ray’s journey illustrates that following God’s calling can be both challenging and rewarding. Whether it’s building relationships, serving others, or making a difference in the community, he believes answering the call is always worth the journey. If you wish to donate to the ministry, you can visit the website, greaterthingsministry.com. 100% of proceeds collected go directly to the projects the ministry supports.
