Highlight Testimony: Ollie Gray III

I grew up in New York, the fourth of five children. Sports was my 'go to' in high school- football, basketball, track & field filled my afternoons. I went through some very challenging times during my teenage and young adult years.

At the age of 18, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. No sooner, I was met with drugs and fell prey. My life was spiraling out of control from drug addiction by the age of 25.

While attending a church service in December 1987, I cried out in prayer for God to help me. And...He did! Just days later, God's Grace made a way for me to submit and participate in a 20-day treatment program. During this time, I began to pray daily, asking God to help me more.

After treatment, I moved to Waterbury, CT. My life really changed. I was blessed to meet my wife and secure a good job working for the State of Connecticut as a Rehabilitation Therapist. At that time, in my pride, I thought I had my life all figured out. However, there was a conviction within, to the contrary. Something was missing and disturbing my soul. In my search and humbled state, I came to acknowledge the truth- that I wasn't fully surrendered yet- to Jesus Christ, and I was missing out on being part of His Church.

The next five years came with many questions about my faith- in particular, about life after death and eternity. My mom and I would often have these discussions before she passed away in March 1993.

That same year, while coaching football, I witnessed my best player and his dad praying together before each game. Watching them pray like that really ministered to me. At the end of the season, they invited me to church. I attended Living Faith Christian Church for the first time on December 12, 1993. On that day, I fully surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. My faith journey has been amazing ever since...

My wife, Cynthia and I decided to go to Bible College. We graduated and became the Youth and Associate Pastors at Living Faith Christian Church for the next 20 years of our lives. Those years, God also added four beautiful children to our family- Shamika, Ollie, Malik & Mya. He also birthed a new ministry in our hearts.

In January 2014, Cynthia and I began Cross Generations Ministries, a Pro-Life Ministry we planted in Waterbury, CT.

In 2017, while coaching football at Naugatuck High School, I heard about FCA for the first time. I believed in FCA's Vision and Mission, so I reached out to an FCA Representative to learn more about how I could get involved. As a volunteer, I helped introduce and support FCA Huddle Meetings for three years of football seasons with my teams. Many of the young men's lives were impacted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This past year, I coached at Saint Paul Catholic High School in Bristol, CT- where I was also able to introduce and support a FCA Huddle with the players and coaches. I realized in these Huddle opportunities, that there is nothing more fulfilling than making disciples who make disciples. I found myself in the 'sweet spot' of my gifting, my training, and my desire to live for Christ.

With much prayer, I have decided to leave the football field for field ministry with FCA CT as an Area Representative. I'm looking forward to reaching the schools, players and coaches of Naugatuck Valley with the glorious, life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ!



"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." Matthew 28:19a