Come Home

Serving Souls is a Bridge. Together we offer God's grace and seek to connect people to the Father heart of God

Greater Love

God will look to every souls like its first love because He is its first love... C. S. Lewis

We can be grateful for a God that understands us.

We serve a God of Sexual Redemption.

You are not an abomination to God / You are loved.

You are Free to Serve

Grace Like Rain

Individual Assistance

water pict

PASTORAL COUNSELING (with an emphasis in sexuality)

Contact the Soul Care Center directly at 916-626-3017 to make an appointment for individual assistance. **Please be sure to tell the scheduler that you would like to meet with Ray. If no answer leave a message in the “General Mail Box” for Ray and your call will be returned.

SMALL GROUPS

For those wanting to be anchored in God & who are having some unwanted struggles with sexual brokenness. Soul small groups are offered at certain times throughout the year. Also, for other discipleship referrals please contact us by scrolling down as well.

BOOKSTORE

There are a wealth of resources regarding healthy relating, sexuality, and how God wants to meet your needs at

This Bookstore

“The issue with God is loyalty
– Relational loyalty.
‘Good and faithful servant:’
I cannot offer God my goodness
– He gives me his.
But I can offer God my loyalty.
Unlike ‘duty,’ loyalty believes in and trusts the character of the person…especially when under circumstances and pressures that prompt doubt or duplicity.”
- Sy Rogers

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDING A SMALL GROUP, OUR MEETING SCHEDULE, OR OTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT US:


+ 3 = nine

 

OTHER CHRISTIAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTHY LIVING  THAT HAVE HELPED US AND COULD HELP YOU:

http://www.daveramsey.com - Get REAL debt help: Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover Plan

 


 

 

 

What We Believe

What We Believe

We believe that the Bible is God’s Word. It is accurate, authoritative and applicable to our everyday lives.

We believe in one eternal God who is the Creator of all things.  He exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  He is totally loving and completely holy.

We believe that sin has separated each of us from God and His purpose for our lives.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ as both God and man is the only One who can reconcile us to God. He lived a sinless and exemplary life, died on the cross in our place, and rose again to prove His victory and empower us for life.

We believe that in order to receive forgiveness and the ‘new birth’ we must repent of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives.

We believe that in order to live the holy (healthy) and fruitful lives that God intends for us, we need to be baptised in water. The Holy Spirit enables us to use spiritual gifts as believers.

We believe in the power and significance of the Church and the necessity of believers to meet regularly together for fellowship, prayer and the ‘breaking of bread’.

We believe that God has individually equipped us so that we can successfully achieve His purpose for our lives which is to worship God, fulfil our role in the Church and serve the community in which we live.

We believe that God wants to heal and transform us so that we can live healthy and blessed lives in order to help others more effectively.

We believe that our eternal destination of either Heaven or hell is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again as He promised.

What We Offer And Who We Are

Serving Souls” provides Christian resources for redemptive sexuality. For Pastors, churches, and those that struggle with their sexuality. We are training churches and standing with those in need in a sexually broken culture.

Consulting And Resources

for pastors, educators, psychologists, friends, and family who are wanting a better understanding about God, sex, and cultural themes.

Small Groups

available where you can have more community, learn biblical principles, and gain control over sexuality that is out of control.

Counseling

available for those wanting to grow out of their sexual and relational issues. To arrange an appointment contact the Soul Care Center directly (916) 626-3017 or send us an e-mail. Please tell the scheduler that you would like to make an appointment with Ray who does Pastoral Counseling.

Our Ministry Director

serves as a pastoral care worker locally and is passionate about equipping the church inter-denominationally abroad.

Administrative support

provided also for speciality speakers, teachers, and distribution of resources world-wide on a contract basis.

Our Board Of Directors

partner together to provide professional resources so that the vision and mission of serving souls can be carried out with integrity.

Our Ministry Team And Core Contributors

makes our model of care successful through prayer and financial support. Thanks to our team! Together we are touching lives with biblical teaching and changing the voice of the church as we love one another in action. We are also living our best lives in Christ.

Church Partners

if you are a church and interested in becoming a “Serving Souls Partner” e-mail Ray for details and to sign-up. Your church can be a great resource and together we can serve more people. We want to help you show value to people in your community.

Internships

why not work in the ministry field of sexual redemption and receive biblical training! Interested in applying to be apart of our 1 or 2 year staff internship! Here you will assist in providing pastoral care experience that is practical, further training in the biology/theology aspects of developmental, and a broader understanding of servant-leadership within church culture and society. Contact us for internship requirements and specific details. Bible and Psychology students or graduates are ideal.

Community Outreach

many outreach opportunities happen throughout the year where we serve those that don’t know Christ. To be apart of these events and receive notifications, join our blog. Help us love others.

 



Ray’s Story

Ray Sullivan Pict

MY STORY

“No More Hiding But Living My Best Life In Christ Now”

I grew up in a Christian home where I struggled with same-sex attraction. I was the youngest child of two older sisters and one brother. My parents divorced when I was two years old and with the unstable family life, the dysfunction was evident. As a child I was sexually abused by an individual at a young age and not sure what do about this. I later told my parents what had happened. Shortly after my mom decided that she and I would move out of town leaving my older sibilings behind.

Living with Mom was great! Mom is a very eccentric personality and loves the arts. I have learned a lot from my mother but times were hard for me as a little boy with just his Mom. She is a beautiful and talented person but was tremendously affected by a marriage gone sour. After moving closer to extended family we had to sleep in our car or motels and wash up in public restrooms before getting started in our new life. To say the least, this environment did not help me feel any more secure or safe as a kid. Later on at the age of eleven I then moved to live with my dad and stepmother. My dad was attending church at this time in his life but was a functioning alcoholic. Family life was crazy and as kids we took care of each other for the most part. All I ever wanted at this age was to connect relationally with my dad and be affirmed by the same-sex. Among other things, I really needed a stable family environment.

I love both of my parents very much, however, during my teenage years we did not understand how to relate to one another without doing so in a dysfunctional manner. Instead of being honest about my feelings then, I decided that I would protect myself and only work on earning my parents love. I did this through performing well. Always doing my best in school, church, staying away from drugs and alcohol. I was a good little Christian boy. I excelled in each area and everybody loved me for it. It felt like I was high on life because my legitimate need for affirmation was being met through praise based on merit. Although it was false praise because I was living a lie. I had stopped being emotionally honest about myself sometime ago and this stopped me from connecting to God and others in reality.

This caused a real deficit in my life and made me confused about how to get my basic needs met properly. So, I began to repress my feelings and felt ashamed for having to do so. Ultimately stuffing everything inside and acting like I was not hurting. I desperately needed relationships that would foster unconditional love and provide an environment that could help me feel secure. Since this was not the case, I began to believe untruths about myself. I would think thoughts like…“something must be wrong with me,” “I guess, I have to work harder or better yet end my life if it is going to be like this.” I wondered why others rejected me and thought that if I pleased them perfectly just maybe then they would approve of me. Those relationships that I did encounter that gave me love I would suck dry because I did not know how to properly receive it but desperately needed it. My focus became centered on “me” instead of others. I was worried about basic survival let alone normalcy in life. I was a true survivalist even if I had to hurt others to meet my needs in a self-centered way. I know now that in an honest relationship with God and others there can be trust. We can have peace because God is a loving father and he wants to provide and protect us.

Instead of turning to God I began to run from Him on the inside but still doing all the right things on the outside like reading my bible, going to church, etc. I turned to fantasy, pornography, materialism, and unhealthy friends because these things made me feel better but they never told me the truth about myself. I became a believer in these lies. What I was holding to in life was not able to sustain me or meet the core needs I had. Life only became more difficult. I began to worship the things I thought I was not worthy of. Or the people I wanted to be like. My life was filled with drama and out of control internally because I was in control and God was not allowed to have access in my world. I did not trust God because He possibly was like others who I had preceived let me down. Yet, I really had a desire to love God.

Pain with bitterness had formed a wall in my heart that cut me off from the ability to receive healthy love. I was angry at my situation, myself, parents and God. I feared the world and thought that I was set-up to fail. I just wanted to connect with others for the person I really was and not the mask I wore. But I was living under shame and did not know how to do this. What was worse is that others could not help me with a need they did not know I had.

I know now that in healthy relating God always comes first, yourself and then others. I have found that if I cannot receive God’s love then I cannot possibly love myself and therefore don’t really know how to freely care for others. Well, God doesn’t give up on us!! I went on in life to graduate from college and then began to pursue a passion for serving others. God knows what we need even when we can’t ask for it. He puts the right people in our paths, and He orchestrates the essential circumstances that help to reveal what is causing the pain in our lives. So, now I was in full-time ministry and trying to love people but hurting myself.

I came to a crossroads in my life one day where I realized that I had to become really, really honest if I was going to rely more on God and walk in security. So, I got honest!

I went to a friend and told them that I was concerned and needed help. I wanted to be at peace with my sexualality and my faith. This person turned out to be unsafe. As a result my church at that time decided it would be best to send me away instead of walking with me. I was sent to a live-in program out of state and away from the only family I knew. I couldn’t believe what had happened to me and thought “I would never want to have anything to do with church again”. Despite the harsh treatment of sending me away I knew God’s character was different and that He was with me. It is because of Jesus that I could not walk away then, nor can I walk away now, from the truth! God has shown Himself trustworthy. He is real and makes a way when you think you are stuck. There is nothing that can separate us from His pure love.

I returned from the live-in program and later joined a ministry staff at another church. It was there that God continued to pursue me out of love and respect. Three years later, I decided to resign my ministry position and pursue God even deeper. I decided to get up on the operating table and allow God to heal my root issues. I went through some hard times and learned that before situations get better they can get worse. I learned, though, that God will never leave you in situations where you are seeking Him.

Today God has restored my life, ministry and relationships. He is helping me walk in wholeness, and is freeing me from a religion that binds. Even now, when I feel I’m still a perfect mess, Jesus shows me the way! He doesn’t care what my issues of the day are. Instead, He is loyal to me as I stand before Him honestly as his son. I have learned many things about Jesus and one thing is for sure…He is beautiful! He is not given enough credit. He does not act as we often do as Christians, but as a Father who loves His children passionately enough to give His life for them. He is ready and waiting impatiently to receive anyone who would accept His gift to come into relationship with Him as dad, even if we are afraid. He is all about His kids. He is not mad at you or I, but wants to be in the loop so He can walk, hand-in-hand with each of us. You and I are radically loved! He values you! God is not against you, He will be your biggest advocate if you let Him in. And if God could make a way for me, He will do the same for you. He has experience in redeeming sexuality, just look at the biblical text. He is able to navigate you through anything if you ask for His help with others involved.

Deuteronomy 4:29-31 says: “But even there, if you seek God, your God, you’ll be able to find him if you’re serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul. When troubles come and all these awful things happen to you, in future days you will come back to God, your God, and listen obediently to what he says. God, your God, is above all a compassionate God. In the end he will not abandon you, he won’t bring you to ruin, he won’t forget the covenant with your ancestors which he swore to them.”

“We were made for soul satisfaction, so we cannot live with chronically dissatisfied souls for long. If we do not find satisfaction in God’s goodness to us, we will look for satisfaction some place else. It’s soul dissatisfaction that always has the effect of making sin look good.”  - John Ortberg

For speaking requests please go to the speakers section.

Speaker Bio

Serving Souls Is A Missionary Based Organization.

Ray serves as a Pastoral Care Worker and is also passionate about equipping the church. Our Ministry Team makes our model of care successful through prayer and Missionary support. Thanks to our core team! Together we are touching lives with biblical teaching and changing the voice of the church as we value others and show the kindness of Christ (He does most of the work).

Media & Interview Requests

Please click on the contact link on the side bar. In the subject line type “Media Requests”.

Ray Is Available For Speaking Engagements (Scroll All The Way Down To Read Ray’s Bio)

Communicating a message of hope & encouragement. Ray speaks out of his personal experiences with a biblical perspective on redemptive sexuality in the church & society. Also, another popular topic that Ray speaks on is that of “Servant-Leadership.” For personal growth and church resources simply send an  e-mail detailing who you are and your request. Also, if Ray is unavailable as your speaker of choice, or if feels he cannot serve your request, he will recommend a few popular speakers.

Request A Speaker For Your Event

Your Name (required)

Title

Organization (required)

Website

Type of Event

Date of Event

Size of Audience

Your Email (required)

Your Phone

Your Message

Ray Sullivan Bio

Ray grew up with two sisters and one brother in a home where he was ten years younger than his next oldest sibling. His parents divorced when he was two years of age. Raised as a Catholic in an alcoholic home he was introduced to the protestant church at eleven years of age and became a believer in that congregation. During this time Ray lived with his father, stepmom, and 3 sisters from a new marriage. Ray later went on to graduate from bible college in 1997. He then received his ordination in 2001. Since then he has spent most of his vocational ministry as an Associate Pastor.

After a season of tackling his own issues regarding faith and his sexual brokenness. Ray has learned a great deal about how the church can embrace believers who are struggling in these areas and how to provide hope for those who would want it. We all need a better scope of understanding when it comes to our sexuality and relationships. Thankfully, God provides the answers as to, “Why we all struggle with sexuality and what to do about it.”

Ray is currently completing a degree in psychology and is passionate about serving the church inter-denominationally around the world. In addition to Ray’s personal experience and growth in Christ, he is an Associate with Sy Rogers, a member of various Pastoral Counseling Organizations/Support Ministries and Professional Associations.

Ray is now thirty-seven years of age and is enjoying this time of life. He would also like us to mention that he has the world’s greatest nieces and nephews!

“I am recovering the claim that Jesus Christ was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles but on a town garbage heap, in a place so cosmopolitan that they had to write His name in Hebrew, Latin and Greek, in a place where soldiers gambled, the people talked smut and the thieves cursed, for that is where Churchmen ought to be and what churchmen ought to be about.”
– Major Ian Thomas

Options For Pastors And Churches

As a Pastoral Care Specialist, Ray provides the following services to better encourage and train you and your church staff:

*Be sure to scroll through the entire page to read “What Others Are Saying” about our ministry work.

1. STAFF TRAINING (Sessions are 1 hour minimum talk time or more depending upon topics addressed).

Session A
Instruction for your church staff on navigating cultural issues as it pertains to sexuality. What we can learn from theology and biology. How to effectively support those that are dealing with pornography issues, same-sex concerns, and what accountability (a plan for health) looks like for everyone involved. Furthermore, what does “Being In Christ look like” and how does one move forward.

Session B
How to effectively communicate with Youth, Parents and everyone in between. Ray offers a Question and Answer time. This presentation thoroughly explains the third option (a biblical/redemptive one) as a response to serving people in your church and church neighborhood.

2. INDIVIDUAL COACHING

Is available for yourself. Request a meeting in your area or office.

3. OPTIONS FOR THE CHURCH

A. PARENTING MEETING (once or twice a year meeting)
Let Ray assist you in serving your parents’ needs. In this presentation, Ray offers the following: proactive parenting & Youth/College Pastor solutions, how to help students navigate a culture sold on sex and one that is distrustful of God, how to talk with your kids about these issues since a dialogue has already been initiated by pop-culture. He will also address how a parent deals with sexting (texting in a sex crazed culture, internet dangers, questions on sexuality, and how to counter various messages about sexuality with a biblical response that is redemptive and hip for your kid).

B. MISSIONARY WINDOW PRESENTATION (5 Minute Presentation)
Allow Ray to do a missionary window if you would like to bring him on as a Missionary for monthly support. During a window in your church service Ray will introduce the concept to your congregation that together we can deal with Godless Sexuality or it will deal with us. We want to be effective as individuals and as a church. This means we have to know what a biblical/redemptive approach looks like. Do you have one (apart from saying: “that the bible says so”)? Ray will illustrate the “elephant in the room” and talk about the ministry work of serving souls!

C. TESTIMONY / Q & A
Ray also offers his testimony relating to dealing with sexual brokenness issues in his own life, moving forward what that looks like, and how God is your greatest advocate!

D. SERVANT-LEADERSHIP AS A LIFESTYLE 
passionate about servant-leadership Ray shares these life lessons from his personal experience.

E. PASTORAL COUNSELING (with a focus in sexually related concerns)
A retainer agreement is a popular method with many churches that do not specialize in the area of same-sex concerns or other areas related to sexuality. Why not refer? We are setup to provide Pastoral counseling in this emphasis. We also work in partnership with professional counseling services if there is a need.

**Retainer option works this way: Various churches agree to pay a set amount each month or year. In doing so, a number of weekly/monthly/yearly spots can be reserved for seeing clients from the participating church on retainer. This allows the church to advertise that they do provide services to their members and they can then refer. Our office location is in Rocklin, CA. We also will agree to travel and provide Pastoral Counseling on-site at your church property if you are located 45 minutes in distance or more away from our office.

***All presentations are given after a donation is made (Our reply e-mail will provide you with more information on this). For scheduling, and/or questions please visit our “Contact” page on this site. Type in the subject line what you are inquiring about “Staff Training”, ‘Individual Coaching”, or “Options For The Church” when e-mailing.

God Bless!

HERE IS WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

“I personally recommend Ray Sullivan from my heart. His demeanor, love and insight is just what this world needs. His arena of ministry is only growing each day and he is the type of leader that not only wants to help directly, but also to raise up other ministers for healing as well. I am over-the-top excited that he has partnered with us in the Kingdom of God and I am more peaceful knowing that he is at my side.”  

- Lance C. Hahn, Senior Pastor of Bridgeway Christian Church

“Not many brave souls enter the world of sexual brokenness to bring hope, healing and spiritual transformation, with such endeavor, commitment and effectiveness as Ray! Thank God for Ray, I say. His generosity of spirit to help another is welcomingly evident and has left a lasting legacy in the lives of many.”

- Mark Smallcombe, Senior Pastor of C3 Church San Francisco

“The Serving Souls ministry fills a significant niche in helping Christians understand the complex culture behind the sexuality of our times. Because of the delicate nature of this topic it can quickly polarize well-meaning people who have a heart for those in need. This unique ministry attempts to fill the gap by graciously applying Biblical truth to the confusing messages we hear in our culture about sexuality.”

- Jeff Stone, Ph.D. 

“I am delighted to recommend to you the ministry of Ray Sullivan and Serving Souls. Ray has a calling to help individuals who struggle with issues of life that we often are afraid to deal without of lack of knowledge or fear. He speaks from a heart of compassion and knowledge and will be a great asset to you and your ministry. You will discover the valuable resource Ray and his ministry can be to you. Ray is a credentialed minster and his ministry is effective and appreciated. May he bless you as he has blessed us.”

- James R. Braddy, Superintendent Nor/Cal Nevada Assemblies Of God

“Ray has a wonderful heart for the Lord and for those who struggle with sexual issues in this world and their identity in Christ. He longs to bring people back to the saving grace of God and he has a passion to help people realize their worth in God’s eyes. His ministry is vital in our society today as more and more people struggle. Many will find hope and peace through Ray’s work in leading them to Christ.”

- Jim Jessup, Director of Church Relations WILLIAM JESSUP UNIVERSITY

“I’m praying for more Ray Sullivans. We need people willing to take on THE issue of our culture, our broken sexuality, and we need them to be thoughtful, empathetic, scripture-guided, and driven to love. I’m so glad Ray is where he is, doing what he does.”

- Brant Hansen, Air 1Radio Host

“Ray, is courageous. He has been able to move past his pain and embrace his future. Ray’s message is full of hope in spite of your circumstance. You will not want to miss the opportunity of hearing his story and timely message. He will encourage you to join him on this journey as he serves souls.”

- Rev. Charla Blair, Communicator

“Whether Ray is leading pastors into more effective ministry, speaking to congregations about God’s heart for hurting people or doing one to one coaching with next generation leaders his heart for truly biblical and highly passionate ministry comes through in every word he says. The ministry of Serving Souls is not an option it is a must for every church that cares about serving real people in a sexually broken culture.”

- Curt Harlow, Executive Pastor and Leadership Development at Bayside Church, Granite Bay, CA

“Thank God for Ray Sullivan and “Serving Souls.”  We need someone with the humility, grace, and courage to be a catalyst for healing in our culture.  Ray has been a resource and a help to so many in our faith community who have struggled for answers and hope as they have faced the tender issues of sexuality.  There are a lot of books, articles, and things you can “read”, but there is nothing like the personal interaction with someone who has the heart and passion for healing like Ray.”

 - Dave Larson, Senior Pastor of New Life Christian Center, Turlock, CA

“Ray is a great friend and also a valiant warrior. He has personally battled to see God’s best happen in his life and now he is working to see the best in life happen to those around him. To those who struggle with their sexuality, Ray is someone you can trust as you work through the journey to personal wholeness. For pastors and counselors Ray is a valued resource to help those you care about rediscover their sexuality.”

- David Beiser, Senior Pastor of Sequoyah Community Church, Oakland, CA

“One of the consistent issues that this generation of leaders must have a compassionate response for is to those dealing with sexual brokenness. Most leaders are desperate for answers and are always looking for resources.  Rev. Ray Sullivan and Serving Souls is ready to serve you and comes equipped with both answers and resources.  We are honored to partner together and consider it a privilege to refer them to anyone in need!”

- Abe Daniel, District Student Ministries Director, NCN Assemblies of God

 

 

Contact

Speakers

Correspondence Address:

serving souls
P.O. Box 163575
Sacramento, CA 95816

Email:

ray@servingsouls.com

Connect:

 

Send a Message:


– six = 2

Privacy Policy | Blog and Referrals