Our Assistant Pastor-Ray Campbell

Q. When did you come to Parkway and what events led you here?
A. God led Terri, Jennifer and I to Parkway in August 2005. We had no plans to leave our church in Norwood, Ohio, but after receiving a call from Pastor Jeff and visiting Roanoke, Terri and I sensed that we needed to consider moving to Parkway. It was not an easy decision. We had come to love the people at Norwood but God made it clear to us that we were to move to Roanoke.

Q. Where have you come from? What are some of your previous ministry experiences?
A. In 1995 God completely changed the direction of my life. At that time I was working successfully in retail management, but in October of that year, I gave my life to Christ. Soon after I sensed that God wanted me in full-time ministry. In June of 1998, through what can only be explained as a series of God-orchestrated events, my family and I found ourselves moving from Hollywood, Florida to Norwood, Ohio to begin our first pastoral assignment.

Q. Tell us about your family.
A. On October 20, 1983 I married my amazing and beautiful bride, Terri. I remember our first date when I asked her what she thought of my Corvette. She said, “Personally I don’t like plastic cars.” It was at that point I knew she was the girl for me! Terri and I are the proud parents of three wonderful children, Matthew, Christopher, and Jennifer. Our boys reside in Cincinnati, Ohio while Jennifer lives with us here in Roanoke.

Q. What are your major responsibilities at Parkway? (Tell us what you do).
A. I am an Assistant Pastor here at Parkway. I am also the Financial Director for Parkway House of Prayer and Parkway Christian Academy. I serve along with the Senior Pastor and under the direction of the Senior Pastor. My responsibilities include a broad range including shepherding, preaching and teaching as well as many administrative areas.

Q. What excites you most about your ongoing ministry here?
A. I still get goose bumps when someone gives their life to Jesus. I love to see spiritual growth as God’s people hunger for his direction. And I am overjoyed whenever someone is fulfilling his or her purpose in God’s kingdom. All of these are happening at Parkway and they are the things that excite me most.

Q. Name one highlight over the past five years. Your favorite Parkway moment.
A. That’s a tough one. There have been so many. But if I had to choose one it would have to be the send-off service for the Eastlake Church plant. The emotions of excitement and sorrow all in the same moment seemed almost surreal.

Q. What are your hobbies/interests? What are some things you especially like to do in your free time?
A. Old cars, stamp collecting, paintball and reading are a few of my interests. The “golf bug” has recently bitten me. Hopefully it won’t be fatal and one day I’ll break 100.

Q. What is your favorite food?
A. What isn’t? I love my wife’s spaghetti with garlic bread (yum). But Terri and I love Red Lobster. And if price is no object I will get the steak and lobster with baked potato. Can you say “DELICIOUS”?

Q. What book(s) have you read recently that you'd like to recommend. Do you have a favorite book?
A. I am challenged daily by “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers. I would also like to recommend two great books: “Healing for Damaged Emotions” by David A. Seamands and “The Knowledge of the Holy” by A. W. Tozer.

Q. What do you anticipate in the near future?
A. Lunch! Just kidding. It is my belief that God has His hand on Parkway and that He is going to continue to challenge us to step out in faith. I want to be counted among the faithful.