Saying Yes to the Great Things
Ray Biery has been connected to Men Serving God from the very beginning. He has had the privilege of knowing Jerry McCullough, Founder and President of Men Serving God, Inc., and his wife, Becky, for almost 40 years. That friendship eventually became part of a larger calling, helping encourage men to serve God by serving others in their families, homes, churches, and communities.
Ray was one of the original 12 men who gathered in 2017 for what was then called “A Night with Christian Men.” The purpose was simple but powerful: share a meal, enjoy fellowship, pray together, and brainstorm ways to encourage Christian men to become more active in service.
That first gathering began with 12 men. In 2018, it grew to 34. By 2019, 70 men were attending. Although the Covid pandemic interrupted plans in 2020, God continued working through the vision. In 2021, the group officially became incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the name Men Serving God, Inc.
Ray served on the original MSG Board of Directors and became the organization’s secretary, a position he continues to hold today.
Rooted in Faith and Family
Ray was born and raised in Alliance, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Mount Union in 1974, where he played football for the Purple Raiders. After college, his first job transferred him to Southern California, where he began a career in sales and customer service. Over the years, his work took him through several industries in both Southern California and Texas before his retirement in March 2020.
It was in Southern California that Ray met and married his wife, Vicki. They recently celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. It was also there that Ray became a born-again Christian in January 1981, a turning point that shaped the direction of his life, marriage, family, and service.
When Ray was transferred to Texas in 1984, the family moved to Arlington in January 1985 and began attending Pantego Bible Church, now known as Central Bible Church. Ray and Vicki raised four children, one daughter and three sons. Their family has now grown to include ten grandchildren, five granddaughters and five grandsons. Ray, known as Papa, and Vicki, known as Gigi, stay actively involved with their family and cherish every opportunity to spend time with them.
Serving First at Home
For Ray and Vicki, service has always started in the home. Throughout their marriage, they have sought to work together as a team, though that has looked different in different seasons.
When their children were younger, Vicki did not work outside the home, and Ray’s sales career often required travel. Because of that, Ray made it a priority to be fully present when he was home. He wanted to support Vicki, invest in their children, and be involved wherever he could.
When volunteer opportunities came up outside the home, Ray and Vicki made a simple decision. If they could not see the face of at least one of their children in the opportunity, they would not say yes. That decision led Ray to coach his children’s baseball, softball, and basketball teams, since all four kids were athletic and actively involved in sports.
As the children grew older, Vicki began working part-time, then full-time. Her career grew as Ray’s career began to slow down. Today, Vicki serves as the director of a North Texas call center for a major hospital network, a role that requires staffing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
When the Covid pandemic spread in 2020, Vicki drove to East Dallas daily to support her team. She encouraged Ray to retire and step away from the workplace so he could help more at home. Ray did exactly that. What began as a way to support his wife also opened the door for what Ray now describes as his “redeployment,” giving him more availability to serve as a volunteer and help meet extended family needs when they arise.
Serving Through the Church
Ray and Vicki began attending Central Bible Church, formerly Pantego Bible Church, in the mid 1980s. Ray has been active in the teaching ministry there since 1986 and has served as a regular community group teacher since 1991.
Today, he helps facilitate “The Scrolls” Bible studies in both the NorthStar and A3 Singles Community Groups. He is also in his second year of service on the CBC Elder Board, continuing to invest in the spiritual life and leadership of the church.
In April, Ray participated in a mission trip to Mexico with Homes of Hope Baja and Youth With A Mission San Diego Baja. There, he helped build a home for a family in need. The experience was significant and life-changing, reminding him again of the power of serving others in practical ways while sharing the love of Christ.
Serving the Community
In addition to his involvement with Men Serving God, Ray has served through numerous charitable and evangelistic outreaches over the years. These include organizations such as Athletes in Action, Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Southwest DFW, Mission Arlington, and many others through MSG.
At 70 years old, Ray entered a new season of public service. In 2023, he was appointed by County Judge Tim O’Hare and sworn in to serve on the Tarrant County Child Protective Services Board of Directors. He also serves on the board of Community Partners of Tarrant County, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused primarily on meeting the emergency needs of children and caregivers who enter the CPS system.
Through these roles, Ray continues to care for vulnerable children and families while looking for opportunities to share the Gospel when possible.
A Life of Purposeful Yeses
Ray encourages men to say yes to serving opportunities that align with their spiritual gifts and abilities, even when those opportunities are in areas they may have never considered before.
He often quotes his daughter, who once advised him to “say no to the good things in order to say yes to the great things.” That wisdom has stayed with Ray as he seeks to use his time, gifts, and experience for the work God has placed before him.
Ray’s story is a reminder that service begins at home, continues through the church, and extends into the community. His life reflects steady faithfulness, a willingness to serve, and a desire to finish well.
As he continues to follow the Lord’s lead, Ray strives to finish the course and the ministry he received from the Lord Jesus, testifying to the Gospel of the grace of God.
