In Support of the Community Ministry of Dr. L.C. Ray

By Tyrone Greenlee and S.F. James Abbott

 We, like many in our
community, have seen and heard the recent news reports regarding the
conflicts at Greater New Zion Baptist Church in Fletcher. Our hearts are
full of grief and sadness for the pain and difficulty being experienced
by our brothers and sisters in that faith community, and we offer our
prayers for guidance, strength, and healing for all the members of
Greater New Zion as they work through this painful situation.

We also offer our prayers for the Rev. Dr. L.C. Ray, who has
served that church as its ordained leader for the past 38 years and who
has long been a powerful voice and presence in our community as a
pastor, preacher, mentor, and fighter for equality, fairness, and
reconciliation.

It is difficult to exaggerate the positive impact that Dr. Ray
has had on our community over the past three decades. He has been a
tireless worker for justice and a consistent bridge-builder among people
of different races, denominations, faith groups, and political
persuasions.

The list of his accomplishments is quite extensive and truly
remarkable. He is the co-founder and CEO of One Youth at a Time, an
organization dedicated to helping our youth achieve academic excellence.
He is President of the Baptist Ministers’ Union and a member of the
Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.

Dr. Ray was a key player in the revitalization of the YMI
Cultural Center in the 1980s and served a term as its Executive
Director. He was instrumental in establishing a satellite campus of Shaw
University here in Asheville. He is a co-founder and the first Chairman
of the Board of Directors of Christians for a United Community, an
interdenominational, multi-racial coalition of churches working for
racial justice and unity. He has been a chaplain to the Asheville Police
Department.

Dr. Ray has served on numerous boards and committees, and he has
often worked behind the scenes to calm troubled waters and bring about
peaceful resolutions in a number of different community conflicts and
crises.

We know we speak for many, many people when we say that
regardless of what happens at Greater New Zion, we urge the community to
continue to support and embrace Dr. Ray’s extensive and effective
community ministry, so that his important work among us will continue
unabated. His strong but compassionate prophetic voice continues to be
needed as together we seek to break down the many walls between races,
denominations, and socio-economic groups that have long divided our
community.

Mr. Greenlee is the Executive Director of Christians for a United
Community, and Rev. Abbott is the Pastor of St. Matthias’ Episcopal
Church.