Raymond F. (Ray) Faircloth Sr., M.Min, D.Min
Ray Faircloth Sr., the youngest son of the late Clyde Ernest Faircloth Sr. and Minnie Ruth Edwards Faircloth, was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on April 3, 1956.
He attended Sunset Park Elem. & Junior High Schools and graduated in 1974 from John T. Hoggard High School. He earned an Associates degree in Theology from Christian Life School of Theology, and a BA degree in Theology from the International Bible College and Seminary. (Independence, Mo)
He is a Graduate of Southwestern Christian University Graduate School (Bethany, Ok) with a Master of Ministry degree. (M.Min.)
On May 3, 2009 he Graduated from Newburgh Theological Seminary (Newburgh, In) with a Doctor of Ministry degree. (D.Min.) His Master and Doctorate Degree Emphasis were in Church Revitalization.
At 12 years of age he felt the call to preach, but seemed to push it off. At 15 years old God ministered to him in the middle of the night with another appeal to preach the Gospel; since that time he has continued to Preach and Teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
On April 3, 1976, (his 20th birthday) he married Ms. Virginia (Jenny) King, also of Wilmington. They have two wonderful children, Ray Jr. and Melissa, which are both very much involved in the ministry. Ray Jr. has a beautiful daughter; TaRanda Jaden. Melissa is married to Sammy Locklear III, They have two beautiful children, Savannah Ray-Ann, and Samuel Carter.
In 1985 Pastor Ray and Ms. Jenny Pioneered the Harvest Fellowship Church in Shallotte, North Carolina. Harvest Fellowship was officially organized on January 11, 1987 with 58 people in attendance including Bishop James D. Leggett and Bishop D. Chris Thompson.
In March of 1990 the Faircloth family moved to Ahoskie, North Carolina where they pastored the First Pentecostal Holiness Church (now, Higher Ground Church).
On July 13, 1991 Pastor Ray and his family moved to Saint Pauls, North Carolina were he served as senior pastor of The Life Center until August 30, 2009. (18 years)
August 30th 2009 to August 10th 2010 Rev. Faircloth served as a conference evangelist and interm pastor in Bethel, NC.
On August 11, 2010 Pastor Ray officially returned to Higher Ground Church in Ahoskie, NC as the Lead Pastor.