Pastor's Page
Welcome! Thanks for visiting our church's Web site.
In 2006 our congregation celebrated 125 years of ministry and mission in Wayne. While this is a remarkable milestone, I truly believe that our best days are ahead of us! Our church is a tremendous group of disciples, and I am proud to serve as their pastor. I hope you will join us in worship or at one of our other ministries to experience the community that blossoms within our church family.
While I don't believe that I am endlessly fascinating, I do want to share a little about myself. If you see something we share in common, please drop me a line!
My Bio:
I grew up on a farm near Clarinda, Iowa, the birthplace of big band leader Glenn Miller and 4-H. I was nurtured in the faith at Trinity Presbyterian Church and was active there throughout my growing up years. Presbyterianism is in my blood; in fact, my father's side were all Covenanters (Reformed Presbyterians) who immigrated to America from Scotland (via Northern Ireland) during the 19th century.
After graduating from Clarinda High School, I matriculated to Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, where I studied psychology and music. Intent on pursuing psychology, I enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and completed an M.A. in community-agency counseling. While there, I specialized in college student life and career counseling.
Along the way, I experienced a spiritual awakening and a subsequent call to ministry. I enrolled at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, and completed my M.Div. there. On my way to seminary, I met my wonderful wife Rachelle (who was also seminary bound, following her B.A. from Hastings College) at Calvin Crest where we worked together as summer camp counselors.
While in seminary I served as a student pastor at the Presbyterian churches in Scales Mound and Apple River, Illinois. After leaving Illinois, my wife and I served as co-pastors at the Bayfield Presbyterian Church.
In March of 2005, we moved to Wayne, Nebraska, where I began serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church. At the same time, Rachelle began serving as the director of CrossPoint Campus Ministry at Wayne State College, which is affiliated with the United Ministries in Higher Education.
Rachelle and I have three excellent children, and we are expecting our fourth in January of 2009. We are tremendously blessed!
In addition to my vocation and family, I am a Teammates mentor and a reader for the Wayne Public Library's preschool reading program. During the winter, I travel back to Dubuque to participate in the Foundation for Reformed Theology and share fellowship with a group of seminary cronies who call themselves The Dead Theologians Society (DTS, like Dubuque Theological Seminary). I also maintain a blog called Sinaiticus where I record thoughts about faith and life (please visit and subscribe!). I am a dedicated reader of Presbyweb, and I can often be seen biking around Wayne on my mountain bike.
I am a simple creature, really. I love Jesus, I love my family, and I love my church.
How to reach Pastor Ray McCalla:
(402) 375-2669 - Study
