The Honorable Reverend Dr. Ray A. King
“Servant of Elohim”
Was born on July 22nd to the late William Peter Rock and Geraldine Margret King, in Harris New York. Raised in Ellenville New York, he was under the daily care of his grandmother, the late Missionary Dorothy Irene King, who was determined that the rigors of the world, would not consume him. He has an earned Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Master of Divinity and a Doctorate in Philosophy (Concentration in Christian Counseling). He was also conferred with multiple Honorary Distinctions. He is a Senior Fellow & Regional Provost (Central & Western New York) of the Eastern Theological Consortium (Christ Theological Seminary) where His Eminence, The Abuna III His Sovereign Grace, Archbishop Dr. Brian D. Cannady Sr. is the Chancellor & President.
At the tender age of eight, he gave his life to the Lord and begun his Christian journey at Shiloh Church in Ellenville New York under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. John Henry Gilmore. After serving in many capacities within his church and Central Hudson Association, in July of 1998 he acknowledged his call to preach the Gospel. He was privileged to deliver his Trial Sermon on September 13, 1998, at Shiloh Church, in Ellenville New York, under the watchful eye of the Reverend Julius A. Collins, Jr. In May of 2001, he began a Pastoral Apprenticeship, under the late Bishop Dr. Willie L. Hardin, at Riverview Church, in Kingston New York.
In February of 2004, Dr. King joined Greater Life Church of Kingston New York under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Jonathan W. Fowler, Sr. and was ordained into the Gospel Ministry by Greater Life Church in April 2004 to serve as the Assistant Pastor. While serving under Bishop Fowler, Dr. King founded R. King Ministries Apostolic & Ecumenical Fellowship, Inc (currently Upper Room Assemblies International). The purpose of this Fellowship is to provide apostolic mentorship, spiritual encouragement, support and direction for the body of Christ.
In April of that same year, Dr. King was called to the Senior Pastorate of Saint Paul Church of Middletown New York, where he served over fourteen years. Through his leadership at St. Paul, the membership increased tremendously and many services to the people of God and community was implemented, the Interfaith fellowship Commission, the Outreach Ministry, Miracles Over Addiction Support Group, Church on Wheels Ministry, Youth Ministry, Scholarship Ministry and Praise Dance Ministry. The Sunday School Department, Women’s Ministry, Men’s Ministry and Music Department were also reorganized through the efforts of Dr. King. Subsequently, a spiritual renewal took place, and many men and women answered the call to preach and teach the Gospel and some to Pastor their own congregation. Dr. King has also organized and assisted in organizing several ministries, missions, churches and non-for-profit organizations. Ambassadors For Christ Ministerial Alliance, Church of the Paschal Lamb-Apostolic, Impact Syracuse Community Development Corporation and Improving Lives Community Development Corporation are a few of them.
In July of 2008 Friendship Church of Ferndale New York unanimously elected Dr. King to serve as their Senior Pastor. Dr. King mounted the pulpit at Friendship with a mission to navigate the congregation through the challenges that faced them. Through his three-year leadership at Friendship (concurrently serving as Senior Pastor of St. Paul) he successfully implemented a Church Training Union which consisted of an active Sunday School Department, Mid –Week Bible Study and Quarterly Leadership Seminars. He also organized and chaired the Nehemiah Project to raise funds for much needed church renovations.
October 8th, 2011 marked another chapter for Dr. King. On this day, he was consecrated to the sacred office of Bishop (According to Apostolic Succession) by the late, His Eminence, Archbishop Dr. Trevor D. Bentley & the Ecumenical Council of Bishops. January 14th, 2012 Dr. King was enthroned to his Apostolic See and received His Apostolic Keys. November 5th 2016 his Apostolic leadership was affirmed by Chief Apostle Willie J. Steele & the Ecumenical Council of Apostles & Bishops. November 13th 2016 he was inducted into Order of Corporate Reunion & American World Patriarchs (Western Rite) where His Eminence, Archbishop Mike Kline was the Universal Primate. January 7th 2017 Dr. King was coronated as Metropolitan Archbishop, elevated to Patriarch (Western Rite) and installed Primate of RKM Fellowship with oversight of several jurisdictions within the state of New York & South Africa.
September 8th, 2018 Bellegrove Church- “The Victorious Life Ministries” of Syracuse New York extended the call to Dr. King to serve as Senior Pastor and he humbly accepted. Under the leadership of Dr. King, the Grove has continued to make great strides. Some of the highlights of his ministry at the Grove has included but is not limited to, strengthening of the administrative department, establishing a new non-for-profit organization to help support outreach and business development goals of the church and targeted community needs, strengthening of the virtual presence and implementing electronic giving options. Dr. King also established a church training institute to inform, inspire and transform the lives of the members and community through education. Under the pastoral leadership of Dr. King, a partnership with the Syracuse City School District was developed to provide much needed support to the staff & students. This incentive created an opportunity for Bellegrove to become an Alternative Learning Site for the School District. Dr. Ray A. King & Lady Yolanda King continuously lead the Grove in tremendous growth, wholesome development, and to lofty heights in God.
September 30th, 2023 The Abuna III, His Sovereign Grace Archbishop Brian D. Cannady Sr., Presiding Prelate of New Covenant Church Of The Holy Spirit, Inc. [Evangelical-Liturgical Ethiopian Orthodox] – National and International set Dr. Ray A. King apart to the office of Hierarchal Dignity and Ecclesiastical Authority as a Patriarch (Eastern Rite) in the Church of God.
Dr. King is a member of the “Christian Fraternal Order,” International Free & Accepted Modern Masons Inc. & Order of the Eastern Star and serves as the Supreme Clergy Council Vice Director. He has served as New York State Deputy Grand Master and Chaplin of Rose of Sharon Grand Lodge, District Grand Master of Sons Of Solomon District Grand Lodge (Buffalo New York ), Director of the NYS Clergy Council, Director of National District Eastern Jurisdiction Clergy Council, Worshipful Master of Vermont Lodge 27, Worthy Patron of Rose of Sharon #10, Generalissimo of Jacob’s Commandry #3, Potentate of Mosaic #27 and wherever needed within the Order.
Dr. King has received multiple awards, citations and distinctions, amongst them are, Congressional Recognition (2026), USA Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (2024), the G.O.A.T Award (2022), the Rodney Taylor Award (2022), the Relentless Leader Award (2019), the Distinguished Service Award (2015 & 2016), the Robert W. Dixon “Man of Integrity” Award (2013), the Special Recognition Award (2009), featured in Times Herald Record Newspaper for Christian Leadership within the Middletown Community (2009), featured in The Town Crier Newspaper for Leadership at the Friendship Church during their “Darkest Days” (2008), featured in Orange County New York Magazine as “Young Innovative Pastor” (2008), recognized by Ellenville New York NAACP (2007), awarded the “Black Achievers Award” (1999) and awarded the “Youth Councilman Award” (1997).
He is married to Overseer Yolanda Latisha King (My Sisters Keeper Interdenominational Women’s Ministry) and is the father of seven children.
Dr. King governs his life by the quote, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past but only what’s done for Christ will last.”