Reverend Raymond John Gaffney is a passionate servant-leader, preacher, counselor, educator, and shepherd of God’s people. Born in Detroit, Michigan, to John Henry and Beverly Gaffney, he has faithfully
followed God’s call for over three decades. He is joyfully married to his wife of 29 years, Jaton S. Gaffney, and together they are the proud parents of six children: Eric, Brianna, Donovan, Daniel, Joshua, and Jeremiah.

A veteran of the United States Army, Reverend Gaffney received an honorable discharge after three years of service. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University, a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Christian Bible College and Seminary, and a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling Psychology from Southwest Seminary. He also earned a Master of Arts in Ministry from South College, where he is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree.

 

Reverend Gaffney accepted the call to preach the gospel in 1991 and was ordained in 1996 by his spiritual father, the late Rev. Dr. Robert Lee Harris of Holy Savior Missionary Baptist Church. Since then, he has served in numerous leadership roles across district, state, and national levels, including Midwest Regional Coordinator of Evangelism for the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., President of the LOGOS Baptist District Association Congress of Christian Education in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Youth Director of the Fellowship Baptist District Association, Assistant Youth Director for the Baptist Missionary & Education State Convention of Michigan, and President of the Ohio State African American Fellowship of Southern Baptist. A certified instructor with the National Baptist Sunday School Publishing Board, he is committed to biblical education and leadership development at both the district and state levels.

A visionary church planter and pastor, Reverend Gaffney founded Potter’s Hand Church in Toledo, Ohio, and served as Senior Pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Defiance, Ohio, where the ministry
expanded to two locations under his leadership. He currently serves as the proud Pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana where the church is committed to community engagement, discipleship and leadership development, and a holistic approach to ministry.

 

A dynamic preacher, teacher, and author of the book Hot Topics for Youth & Young Adults, Reverend Gaffney is devoted to making God’s redemptive love known through evangelism and discipleship. He lives out his calling to help people realize their God-given potential, pursue their dreams, and walk in the transformative power of Jesus Christ.

 

His life and ministry are anchored in the words of Jesus found in Luke 4:18:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”