(Gainesville, TX, March 14, 2008) J. Ray Smith began to minister as the new chaplain at North Texas Medical Center February 27. After his selection by the Gainesville Ministerial Alliance, the hospital board approved him at their last monthly meeting on February 26. Smith replaced Mrs. Betsy Stilwell, who resigned when her husband accepted a job in California.

J. Ray, as he prefers to be called, brings a variety of experience to his chaplaincy work. He was a radio disc jockey in high school, and a professional photographer in graduate school. In addition to serving as pastor of Southern Baptist and Evangelical Free churches for over 19 years, he taught at Dallas Bible College where he became Chairman of the Pastoral Studies Department. Before starting his Christian publishing company, he managed a Christian bookstore in Lewisville. He researched and wrote a book titled Too Busy To Live in collaboration with Dr. Rick Fowler, a Christian counselor, and Cassie Findley, Director of Education for Curves International fitness centers.

In an interview for the North Texas Medical Center “Community Service” program on Radio Station KGAF, J. Ray stated, “I am excited about working with this hospital staff that is passionately dedicated to serving the people of North Texas…My goal for the chaplaincy program is to inspire faith and courage as people struggle against disease and injury, and to comfort them when they suffer loss.”

Since the chaplaincy is a part-time job, J. Ray spends the rest of his working hours operating a family-owned Christian publishing company based in Gainesville. “I was spending most of my time sitting in front of a computer and talking about business on the phone,” he says, “so I am enjoying ministering to people in person again as I did when I was a pastor.”

J. Ray is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Joan, live in Lake Kiowa, and are members of First Baptist Church in Gainesville.