The Rev. Dr. Ray Howell started his pastorate at First Baptist Church April 1, 1990. Previously he served at the Pollocksville Baptist Church from 1977 to 1982 and at Roxboro Baptist Church from 1982 to 1990. He received his B.A. degree in religion and philosophy from Samford University in 1976, his master’s of divinity degree from Southeastern Theological Seminary in 1979 and his doctor of divinity degree from Southeastern in 1983.

He and his wife, Joyce, have two daughters, Lynn, and Della, and two sons, Knight, and Ray Nance.  They are also blessed with five grandchildren:  Benjamin, Samuel, Hannah, Ella Rae, and Parker.  He is very active in the community, serving as a religion writer for The Dispatch, secretary of the Lexington Kiwanis Club, board member of Lexington Medical Center, where he serves on the Ethics Committee, and North Carolina Baptist Hospital, where he serves as chairman of the Faith and Health Committee.  He is past chairman of the board of directors for the Biblical Recorder, a past president of the Greater Lexington Ministerial Association, the 2001 Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, and a 2004 recipient of the North Carolina Baptist State Convention Heritage Award.  He is the author of “Images of America: Davidson County,” and “The Crazy Kolinskis.”  He enjoys sports, history and travel.

Click here to read his blog.