The Ark of Safety Christian Church, located at 2529 Charwood St. in St. Charles, Mo. recently celebrated its Pastor Raymond Horry’s 50th birthday.
Pastor Horry was first honored with a Gala Banquet at the Old Hickory Golf Club in St. Peters where he was joined by many out of town friends and family, his church congregation, and local friends and family.
“Even though we were hit with a snow storm the day before, it didn’t stop the celebration from going on,” said First Lady and Minister Kathy D. Horry.
The celebration continued with what Minister Horry called a “Super Soul Celebration.” Everyone wore T-shirts with the pastor’s face printed on them. Skits were performed. There was laughing, dancing and singing, all celebrating the pastor to show him how much he’s loved.
A tribute video was screened, which included examples of Pastor Horry’s dramatic preaching style. This includes the use of an aerosol spray can to flame a match at the pulpit to illustrate the burning fire of Christ as he feels it.
On Sunday of the celebration weekend, St. Charles Mayor Sally Faith attended services and presented Pastor Horry with a Proclamation and Key to the City of St. Charles. Bishop John A. Cherry, Pastor Horry’s faith leader in Washington, D.C., came to town as a surprise to join the celebration.
The Ark of Safety Christian Church, affectionately called the “Ark,” is a non-denominational faith-based church with a family-oriented ministry. The Ark has over 700 members who worship and serve at its $4.2 million facility in St. Charles where Pastor Horry leads a spirit-filled worship service, weekly Bible study and weekly spiritual growth classes.
The Ark’s more than 20 ministries – all under the motto “One God, One Love, One Church” – include an Adolescent Ministry, Baptismal Ministry, Beautification Ministry, Bereavement Ministry, Culinary Ministry, Fellowship Ministry, Health Awareness Ministry, Intercessory Ministry and Media Sales Ministry.
Pastor Horry founded the Ark of Safety Christian Church in June 2006. Although he imagined a small congregation, the church grew to 550 members in less than seven months. On October 7, 2007, the first Sunday service was held in the newly purchased building, with praise and worship going forth under the leadership of Minister Kathy D. Horry.
The Horrys met while working together in the Music Ministry of the Heart Church Ministry in Washington, D.C., under the leadership of Bishop Cherry. They married after extensive pre-marital classes and were encouraged to take their ministry to St. Louis, where he served as Youth Director and she served as Music Director of the St. Louis Christian Center.
Within a year the couple was ordained, as Youth Pastor and Music Minister, respectively, and Pastor Horry was promoted to the position of Assistant Pastor of St. Louis Christian Center. The Horrys said they were then moved to found the Ark “out of sheer obedience to the Lord.”
Pastor Horry was born in 1963 in Charleston, S.C. He grew up in the church, and was told on occasion by the mothers of his church that he had a gift from God that made others feel good about Christ.
He graduated from North Carolina A&T State University, with a degree in accounting. He traveled extensively for his career, until finally settling down in the Washington, D.C. area, where he began the faith journey that led him to the Ark.
Pastor Horry also has written and published a book, The Marriage Cup and the Covenant. He says, “Marriage is a natural institution governed by spiritual principals, because it is derived from and by God.”
The Horrys are the proud parents of two sons, Raymond Jr. and Raynard, and one daughter, Witney LaTrice.
“You’re going to have to follow me as I follow Christ in every aspect of my life,” Pastor Horry preaches.
Highlights from the tribute video from Pastor Horry’s birthday celebration are posted at http://vimeo.com/9749778. For more information, visit www.arkofsafety.cc.
