Pastor T. Ray McJunkins is a spirit-filled preacher of the Gospel.  Born the fifth of five children to Elouise Larry in Little Rock, Arkansas, December 31, 1962.  Like young Timothy, his mother and grandmother, Mama Rosie, nurtured him.  At age 19 he accepted the call into the gospel ministry at New Hope Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Pastor Don A. Kelly. 

February 1984, age 21, Pastor McJunkins joined the United States Air Force where he served four years.  While in the Armed Forces, he received Letters of Appreciation and Letters of Accommodation for his work in Cairo, Egypt and Daharan, Saudi Arabia.  He received an Honorable Discharge as a Non-Commissioned Officer and was awarded the Honors Ribbon, Outstanding Award and USAF Good Conduct Medal.   

In August 1988 with a burning desire to pastor, Pastor McJunkins enrolled in Wichita State University to continue his education.  It was in Psychology 101 a fellow student asked him to send a resume to her home church in Salina, Kansas. 

June 1990 until September 1990 Pastor McJunkins served, as Interim Pastor for the St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church of Salina, Kansas.   

September 14, 1990 at 27 years old he was called as pastor of St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church.  For a year Pastor McJunkins was bi-vocational, living and working in Wichita, Kansas. His passion to serve God’s people enabled him to drive from Wichita to Salina 75 miles. After the birth of his daughter, Chelsea, he moved his family to Salina so he could be more active in the community. Pastor McJunkins served the St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church for eight years with many great accomplishments, just to name a few: Moderator of Smoky Hill District Association two years Vice Moderator of Smoky Hill District Association two years Board Member of National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Board Member of Missionary Baptist Convention of Kansas Appointed by Judge David S. Knudson to Saline County Foster Care Review Board Candidate for the Salina City Commission

May 22, 1998, Pastor McJunkins accepted the call to the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Longview, Texas. He served as a charter member of the Longview District Association and President of the Congress of Christian Education.

July 31, 2002, Pastor McJunkins accepted the call to serve as Senior Pastor of the Union Baptist Church of Springfield, Illinois. Led by the Holy Spirit, Pastor McJunkins wasted no time working with the building committee, Project 2000.  Within eighteen months ground was broken for a multimillion-dollar facility to meet the needs of the community.  The project was completed nineteen months later with the first worship celebration on December 25, 2005. 

The facility includes a new 40,000 square feet and the existing 16,500 square feet, making the building 56,500 square feet.  The facility houses a sanctuary with a 1,100 seating capacity, a chapel that seats 200, a multi-purpose gymnasium/Family Life Center, computer lab, library/bookstore, conference room, nursery, 8 class rooms, fellowship hall and 3 culinary areas. 

Pastor McJunkins is an aggressive pastor and after 6 years his feet still has not touched the ground.  The Union Baptist Church is open 7 days a week with never a dull moment.  The church meets the needs of the total man, mind, body and soul from the Alternative School to exercise classes, from youth activities to midnight adult basketball, everything from A-Z.  Pastor McJunkins’ passion has always been to meet the needs of the community. 

Pastor McJunkins’ educational background includes an Associate Degree in Management from Capital City Business College in Little Rock, Arkansas.  His BA in Business Administration is from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas. He has extensive studies in Sociology and Psychology, Certificates and Diplomas from Arkansas Baptist College in Old/New Testament Studies and various courses in Preaching Styles and Techniques. His Seminary Studies are Christian Counseling Therapist certification from Christian Bible College and Seminary, Independence, Missouri and BA and MA in Christian Ministry from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri.

A powerful, uncompromising preacher of the Gospel with a heart for people, he is affectionately known in the community as Pastor Mac. Through his teaching and preaching many have entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, while others have had their faith strengthened.  An anointed sound mixed with an understandable proclamation, Pastor Mac brings a dynamic style to the pulpit.  He is what other preachers would call a “quite storm”. He is perhaps one of the best-kept secrets of central Illinois. God has certainly found favor and smiled on the life and ministry of Pastor T. Ray McJunkins.  The Springfield community is blessed to have him in the city. 

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