"The people that we come in contact with really are in need," said Barbara, who used her grant writing skills to apply for Georgia's Bright from the Start Summer Food Service program. Funded by the USDA, the program serves students who receive free or reduced meals throughout the school year.
"This is our first year venturing out. It's going very well," added Ray. The Muses also had help preparing the meals from students assigned through the Summer Jobs for Youth Programs. Most of the youth are being served in area church summer camps, but Ray also stays busy making several deliveries throughout the day.
Like most ministers, the Muses are living a completely different path than they
initially expected.
The Muse family previously lived in Sacramento, Calif., where Ray served as Associate Minister at Antioch Progressive Baptist Church. Ray, along with his wife Barbara, are the co-founders of The Gifted Healing Center. The center is a non-profit organization whose primary goal is to help those who are struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. "Our main focus is outreach, to bring the people in," she said.
But somehow, they felt God was leading them out of California and to another place.
"We spent several summers visiting our relatives in this area," said Ray. "God kept leading us out here."
When the Muse family finally made the big move and came to Georgia, they formed a Bible study in their home. As their ministry grew, they moved to the Always Conference Center on Green Street and eventually the church on Highway 20, where they presently meet.
"This building is such a blessing. God provided everything. We just had to come in," said Ray.
Summer may be slowing down, but things are still busy at Bread of Life. Barbara is preparing for the upcoming Women of Wisdom conference in September. Both Pastor Ray and Barbara are hoping to hold a tent revival. There are also ideas in the works to start up a Celebrate Recovery program for addiction support and recovery. The church's name creates an acronym that sums up their focus, said the couple: "Bread of Life Deliverance Ministries. We are making a ‘BOLD' move for Christ."
For more information about the church or its ministries, visit www.boldministries.org.
