My name is Ronald Grey and I was born in Savanalamar in the parish of Westmoreland on April 28, 1961, to Mr. & Mrs. Lydon and Icelyn Grey. I was the last of six children; three boys and two girls preceded me. My father was a carpenter who also did some farming on the side. My mother was a committed housewife who sells in the market on Fridays and Saturdays. I attended the Cokes View Primary School, the Petersfield High School and then the Vocational Training School where I majored in Plumbing and Pipefitting.

While in Vocational Training School, I sensed God’s call on my life, and I committed my life to the Lord at the age of 18. Immediately, I had a passion to see things happening for the Lord. I quickly became a Youth Leader and Sunday School Teacher in my local church. God was willing to use me, and I made myself available to Him. Very soon I was preaching in various youth meetings and numerous churches without any formal training. Being a minister was the last thing on my mind. God started using people to impress on me the need to go into fulltime ministry, but I had other ideas. I wanted to be a Policeman like my older brother. God closed all the doors before me that led into the police force.

Months later in a revival service a member of a work and witness team that visited my church came to me and said, “Young man, God is calling you into the ministry.” I smiled and walked away, trying to avoid any more conviction. The next morning I went to see my pastor. As I got by his gate, there was the same work and witness team member coming out of his house, who upon seeing me, turned back and said to my pastor, “God is calling this young man into the ministry. Let us lay hands on him and pray for him.” They did right there and then. I said, “Whatever you want Lord.”

I went home feeling very burdened as if I had committed some great sin, as I was still pondering whether or not to write the application to college. I eventually did and I felt the burden rolled away. I applied to the regional college, Caribbean Nazarene College (formerly Caribbean Nazarene Theological College), but I was still concerned as to how I would be meeting all the necessary financial expenses. My eldest sister was at the time working here in Jamaica as a nurse. On her salary she could live moderately but only just. She had applied to work in Bermuda at her present job. I told her what was happening to me, and she said, “Don’t worry, if I get through to work in Bermuda, I will take care of you.”

My sister was called to work in Bermuda in February 1983. My application to CNC was completed in March of that same year. My sister took care of all my financial obligations, and supported me with more than seventy percent of all my college expenses for the three years I spent at CNC. I attended CNC from 1983- 1986 and graduated with a ministerial diploma. I started pastoring in September of the same year; I worked as assistant pastor to the then District Superintendent, Rev Wilford Nelson, from September 1986 – February 1987. At the District Assembly during the same year, the Jamaica District was divided into two districts, Jamaica East and Jamaica West. I was then called to the Preddie and Gravel Hill circuit of churches where I pastored for three years. The circuit grew in every way, especially numerically. To facilitate this growth, the buildings had to be expanded to include some more modern convenience such as office space and bathroom facilities.

In the summer of 1985, I met and fell in love with a young Christian girl named Cossett. We started dating and the relationship grew. We were married on July 14, 1990. In that same year, I was called to the Pastorate of the Boulevard Church where my wife was a member. We started there July 1990, immediately after we got married. Since I started here, the church has been growing in every way, memberships have increased, financially we have increased tremendously and Boulevard has become the No. 1 church on the District.

We have two children; Ronero and Chantay. Both are in high school and are doing well. Ronero is 15 years (20.3.1991) Chantay is 14 years (11.11.1992). In 1996, I was appointed as District Superintendent for the Jamaica East District. Since then, we were able to secure properties for a number of our churches such as Treadlight, Seafort, and St. Mary, where we intend to develop a camp site on the property along with the church. We were privileged to secure a few Work and Witness teams with the assistance of our regional leaders, Dr. Smee and Rev. Curt Luthye. There is a lot of scope for Jamaica to grow, but our resources are very limited. Jamaica will be happy to welcome any Work and Witness team that is willing to assist us in our development.

We are endeavoring to work hard and build a strong District with strong churches.

“Young man, I call upon you because you are strong.” These may have been the words, which propelled Rev. Grey into full-time Christian Ministry, a journey that began twenty years ago. This journey started at the Mount Grace Church of the Nazarene in Westmoreland, where he gave his heart to the Lord at the age of eighteen and was very active in the Youth Department. His dream was to become a Policeman. Maybe he thought he had all the right attributes, being tall and well-built. Alas, he was unsuccessful in his application. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations”.

Prophetic words from two elders, coupled with his own inner convictions from the Holy Spirit, led Rev. Grey to the path of his calling to Pastoral Ministry in 1982. He commenced three years of Pastoral training at the then Caribbean Nazarene Theological College (CNTC) in 1983, along with three other young men from Jamaica. He was very active in all areas of campus life including sports of which he was very fond. (We just had to include that picture in the middle of your programs). Having completed his training in 1986, he returned to Jamaica and began Pastoral service at the Mandeville Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Grey served for approximately six months before being summoned to serve at the Preddie/Gravel Hill churches, now known as the Milk River/Gravel Hill churches. The three years served there were quite rewarding and helped to hone the skills required to later take on the challenges of the city church, Boulevard Church of the Nazarene.

This call to Boulevard in 1990 would dramatically change Rev Grey’s life. It was not surprising, however, that his answer was a resounding yes when called to serve at Boulevard, since his heart was already there. His connection to the most vibrant, spirit-filled Sister Cossett Mullings was not entirely a secret. So as to fulfill the charge to Timothy regarding the qualifications of a Bishop, on July 14, 1990, Rev. Grey took unto himself a wife - Sis. Cossett Mullings. She is now the first lady of Boulevard Church of the Nazarene. She has always shown support for her husband’s ministry, is very understanding and has a strong passion for the work of God and the spiritual growth of the church. She has been a blessing both to Rev. Grey and the church. No wonder the scripture says, “He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing”. The union has produced two wonderful children, Ronero and Chantay, who are both Christians. As the saying goes, “Parson christens fi im pickney fus”.

Rev. Grey’s ministry at Boulevard can be described as the hallmark of his career, as his service here spans the longest – sixteen years. Thus, most of his achievements were accomplished here. Many lives have been transformed through the spoken Word, several marriage unions have been produced, many children have been dedicated and young people led in the right direction, many of whom are now proud graduates of tertiary institutions and have taken their places in the corporate world here and abroad. His own quest for academic excellence led him to complete a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology with a minor in Counseling. Under Rev. Grey’s watch, the church school, Auburn Basic School was expanded to facilitate over two hundred students. The expanded church building now boasts two Pastor’s offices and a Church Hall. The church also provides accommodation for Work and Witness Teams visiting the Jamaica East District.

Rev. Grey’s leadership skills were recognized early at the District level. He served for three and a half years as District NYI President, whilst serving at Preddie/Gravel Hill but rose to the pinnacle of his ministry in 1997, when he became District Superintendent for the Jamaica East District. He currently serves in this capacity in addition to his duties to his local church as Senior Pastor. The opportunity to groom a young Pastor fresh out of college came five years ago when Rev. Grey decided to share his pulpit with our Assistant Pastor, Rev. Kirk Nicholson. The influence must have been very great, since he has since followed in Rev. Grey’s footsteps by choosing a wife from Boulevard.

Rev. Grey believes in service to community and opened the church doors to the Duhaney Park Police three years ago. At a special church service the congregation donated Bibles to the servicemen and donated a television set to the Police Station. The church now actively distributes food to the less fortunate once per month through the initiative of the Women’s Ministry. This was fully endorsed by Rev. Grey. His involvement in church life encompasses ministry to other churches as well, and these affiliations have helped to forge good relationships with other surrounding local pastors and churches. On many occasions he has unselfishly given permission for our church facilities to be made available for functions by other churches. He is also an active member of the Jamaica Association of Evangelicals. He has represented both the local church and the District at the Caribbean and international levels, attending conferences and seminars beneficial to church development. Last year his insightfulness led him to garner valuable assistance from some of our churches in the United States to help to build some of our local churches. This is a testament to Rev. Grey’s commitment to church growth and development. He has always encouraged an evangelistic thrust, challenging his local church to develop new outreach ministries. This year we launched a new outreach Sunday School Ministry in Sherlock, Patrick City, and so far the ministry has been successful.

The serious pastor and family man also has a lighter mischievous side to him. Even when preaching the Word, he often drops in a joke or two, much to the delight of young people and the young at heart. You dare not sleep during a sermon, since the sermon will be slightly adjusted to include your name in it! Amen Sis. So and So or Amen Bro. So and So. It is no wonder he gets involved in Children’s and Youth Camp each year. He gets to monkey around. His attendance at Sports Days is a definite, as he continues to be the reigning champion in the Pastors’ Race. He should be disqualified from all future races.

Twenty years have passed, yet it seems so short. You’ve worked hard as you toiled for the Master, Rev. Grey. We thank you for all you’ve done and challenge you to do more. Today, we salute your efforts and wish for you and your family God’s blessings as you continue to lead His people. May the work you’ve done speak for you. We love you.

R - Ruddy and tall he stands, many people entrusted to his hands

O - “Obedience to God in all things” – this anthem he often rings

N - Naturally a hard worker, he’s always on the go

A - Ambitious he is, the District Superintendent also

L - Loving and kind, many lives he has touched like mine

D - Devoted and dedicated, is that not wonderfully fine?

C - Caring for others is not always easy you see, but the Master who called him gave him the ability

G - Good-natured, Rev. Grey never fails to give a joke; a little troublesome at times but that’s alright with us folks

R - Rarely, if ever late, now that is a good trait

E - Enthusiastic when preaching the Word, trying to ensure we get our fill

Y - Yielded to God’s will, TWENTY YEARS and going still.

“Thank You For Giving To The Lord - May The Work You’ve Done Speak For You”