Pastor's Page

Dr. Raye was born in Rennert, NC.  He received his elementary and secondary education in the public schools of Fayetteville, NC.  After graduating from E. E. Smith High School, he served two years in the United States Air Force.  Dr. Raye received a Bachelor of Science degree from Fayetteville State Teachers College (which is now Fayetteville State University), a Master of Divinity and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Shaw Divinity School, Raleigh, NC.

Dr. Raye has done further study at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, and received an Instructor’s Seminary Extension Certificate from Raleigh, NC.

As a lay member under the leadership of Dr. C. R. Edwards at First Baptist Church, Fayetteville, NC, Dr. Raye was involved in many church activities, to include:  B.T.U. (which is now called the C.T.U.) Director; Youth Department Sunday School Teacher; Scout Master; Explorer Advisor; Usher; member of the Loyal Worker’s Club; Secretary of the Laymen’s League; member of the Male Chorus; and League Choir.

Dr. Raye served as Workshop Instructor for the Baptist Training Union (B.T.U.); Congress of the General Baptist State Convention; Dean of Christian Education of the Union Baptist Association; a member of the Board of Visitors of Shaw Divinity School; and Bible and Institute Instructor of the Christian Education Department of the Union Baptist Association.

Dr. Raye has served the following Churches:  The New St. James Baptist Church, Timberlake, NC, five years; and Lillington First Baptist Church, Lillington, NC, thirteen years.  He has been the pastor of Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, St. Pauls, NC, since 1972 and First Missionary Baptist Church, Parkton, NC, since 1981.  In 2002, he led First Missionary Baptist, Parkton, in building a one million dollar plus new edifice. 

He is married to Tisher L. Raye and they have six sons and two daughters.

This page was last updated: February 15, 2010