Bro. Ray Burks became pastor of Belmont First Baptist Church in August of 2009. Prior to that he was senior pastor at Lakeview Baptist Church in Selmer, TN for 10 years. He served as pastor of three other churches in Mississippi since 1986. Ray served for six years as a minister to students while completing his college and seminary education.
Ray married Amy in 1984 only 20 days after both graduated from college. They now have two sons, Matt and Taylor. Matt is an honor graduate of McNairy Central High School and attends Union University in Jackson, TN majoring in Accounting. Taylor is a sophomore at McNairy Central high School where he is active in the Bobcat Marching Band and occasionally studies.
After graduating in the bottom half of his high school class, Ray entered Blue Mountain College. On May 6, 1984 he graduated first in the ceremony receiving his Bachelor of Science degree. (He was the first to walk across the stage and receive his diploma; he wasn't valedictorian!) Following college and marriage, Ray attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX . He left Southwestern to pastor the Enon Baptist Church in Grenada, MS and ultimately completed his Master's degree at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and earned his Doctorate of Ministry in Blblical Preaching through the Master's International Seminary, studying expository preaching under the late Dr. Stephen F. Olford. In his spare time, Ray teaches Religious Studies classes for UTM-McNairy County-Selmer Center and also online coruses for Itawamba Community College in Fulton, MS.
Amy has served as a chemistry and Physics teacher since 1984. In 1990 she received her Master of Science in natural Science degree from Delta State University. Following that, she completed advanced work toward her Education Specialist degree from Mississippi State University. In 2004 she completed her National Board Certification as a secondary science teacher. In 2005 she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathemateics and Science Teaching. She teaches at Corinty, MS High School and also serves as an adjunct instructor at Blue Mountain College and University of Tennessee at Martin-Mcnairy County/ Selmer Center.
Ray counts it a great privilege to serve as pastor of a church like FBC Belmont. Since surrendering to the call to preach at age 16, it has been his desire to follow God's will as a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
FEBRUARY 2012 
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