The Honorable Reverend Dr. Ray A. King

“Servant of Elohim”

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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 an alumnus of St. Thomas University & Theological Seminary and a Senior Fellow of the Eastern Theological Consortium where His Eminence, The Abuna His Sovereign Grace, Archbishop Dr. Brian D. Cannady, Jr. is the Chancellor.  

At the tender age of eight, he gave his life to the Lord and begun his Christian journey at the 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 the 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 the 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 the Riverview Church, in Kingston New York.

In February of 2004, Dr. King joined the 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 the 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. 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 the 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 the 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 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 the Order of Corporate Reunion & American World Patriarchs (Western Rite) where His Eminence, Archbishop Mike Kline is the Universal Primate. January 7th 2017 Dr. King was coronated as Metropolitan Archbishop, elevated to Patriarch and installed Primate of the RKM Fellowship with oversight of several jurisdictions within the state of New York & South Africa.

September 8th, 2018 the 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. Dr. King is moving passionately forward with the saints of the “Grove” in a joint effort to REPOSITION, REBUILD, RELAUNCH!  

Dr. King is a member of the “Christian Fraternal Order,” International Free & Accepted Modern Masons & Order of the Eastern Star and serves as the Supreme Clergy Council Vice Director.    

Dr. King has received multiple awards, citations and distinctions, amongst them are, the Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (2024), the Relentless Leader Award by Bellegrove Church (2019), the Distinguished Service Award by St. Paul Lodge 103 (2015 & 2016),  the Robert W. Dixon “Man of Integrity” Award by Central Hudson Association (2013), the Special Recognition Award by Mayor Marlinda Dunncanson (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 Regional 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.”