Ollie Gray

Ollie grew up in New York, the fourth of five children. Sports was his 'go to' in high school- football, basketball, track & field filled my afternoons. He went through some very challenging times during his teenage and young adult years.

At the age of 18, Ollie accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. No sooner, he was met with drugs and fell prey. His life was spiraling out of control from drug addiction by the age of 25.

While attending a church service in December 1987, he cried out in prayer for God to help him. And...He did! Just days later, God's Grace made a way for him to submit and participate in a 20-day treatment program. During this time, he began to pray daily, asking God to help me more.

After treatment, Ollie moved to Waterbury, CT. His life really changed. He was blessed to meet his wife and secure a good job working for the State of Connecticut as a Rehabilitation Therapist. At that time, in his pride, he thought he had my life all figured out. However, there was a conviction within, to the contrary. Something was missing and disturbing his soul. In his search and humbled state, he came to acknowledge the truth- that he wasn't fully surrendered yet- to Jesus Christ, and he was missing out on being part of His Church.

The next five years came with many questions about Ollie's faith- in particular, about life after death and eternity. His mom and him would often have these discussions before she passed away in March 1993.

That same year, while coaching football, he witnessed my best player and his dad praying together before each game. Watching them pray like that really ministered to him. At the end of the season, they invited him to church. Ollie attended Living Faith Christian Church for the first time on December 12, 1993. On that day, he fully surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. His faith journey has been amazing ever since...

Him and his wife Cynthia decided to go to Bible College. They graduated and became the Youth and Associate Pastors at Living Faith Christian Church for the next 20 years of their lives. Those years, God also added four beautiful children to their family- Shamika, Ollie, Malik & Mya. He also birthed a new ministry in their hearts.

In January 2014, Cynthia and Ollie began Cross Generations Ministries, a Pro-Life Ministry they planted in Waterbury, CT.

In 2017, while coaching football at Naugatuck High School, he heard about FCA for the first time. he believed in FCA's Vision and Mission, and reached out to an FCA Representative to learn more about how he could get involved. As a volunteer, he helped introduce and support FCA Huddle Meetings for three years of football seasons with my teams. Many of the young men's lives were impacted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This past year, Ollie coached at Saint Paul Catholic High School in Bristol, CT- where he was also able to introduce and support a FCA Huddle with the players and coaches. He realized in these Huddle opportunities, that there is nothing more fulfilling than making disciples who make disciples. He found myself in the 'sweet spot' of his gifting, his training, and his desire to live for Christ.

With much prayer, he has decided to leave the football field for field ministry with FCA CT as an Area Representative. Ollie is looking forward to reaching the schools, players and coaches of Naugatuck Valley with the glorious, life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ!

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." Matthew 28:19a