Country Girl Meets City Boy

     I was asked to be a greeter at church on the Sunday morning I received the news.  I held the door open for Kellie Owens, a member of our church.  Kellie said, "Don't say anything, but have you heard anything about Ray Maw?"  I said, "No, what's wrong?"

     Danny "Ray" Maw grew up in Greer S.C., him and his brother were adopted by their grandmother. While in high school he began selling drugs to make money, then he began drinking and taking pills. Meanwhile, a girl by the name of Karen Clark, a member of our Dacusville community was growing up in a christian home; she was loved by both parents, taught right from wrong, and very involved in the youth group at her church.

   

Ray and Karen Maw

     After Karen graduated from high school she met and moved in with some girls from Taylors, S.C.  Karen got caught up in the lifestyle of drinking and drugs, living this lifestyle allowed for her and Ray's lives to cross. Karen and Ray dated for two years before getting married.  Karen's family didn't meet Ray until after they were married.  Ray's addiction got worse, he began smoking crack and selling drugs in their house.  Karen told Ray she couldn't live like this anymore, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."- Proverbs 22:6  Karen started going back to church and Ray went with her on Feburary 8th, 1998. On that day, the praise team was singing "Let The Veil Down" by Judy Jacobs, and Ray went to the alter and received the most precious gift anyone can ever receive.....Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God changed Ray Maw that day, when he got up from the alter he had complete deliverance; no more drugs or drinking.  Ray was tempted, but never did he stray; he was a life changed.

To hear Judy Jacobs "Let The Veil Down" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmxPlCbDlZo



A  Life Changed, Changed Many

Ray and Karen Maw

     Ray was called into ministry, not to pastor a church but to be an evangelist; one that goes to where the
people are.  God joined Ray with two other Men of God with the same passion, Weyman Dobson and Matt Beasley. Together they went into the innercity and ministered to the homeless, and the people on the streets of Downtown Greenville.  Ray was bold in his walk with Christ, Karen said he had no problem talking to strangers, or anyone about Jesus. Ray would pick people up that were walking on the side of the road. Karen asked Ray, "What if these people had a gun?" Ray said, "What if they did?" Ray was in the business of reaching the unreachable. Karen shared with me a time that Ray was in Bi-Lo and he asked a man on crutches if he could pray with him, the man said yes.  After Ray prayed with the man, the man walked out of Bi-Lo without his crutches.  Karen said that Ray became very wise in the word, to not have been brought up in church.  Ray wanted everyone to know the love of Jesus, even to the point of stopping what he is doing with his family to help someone. Ray and his family was going to Greenville for a family day and got word that a homeless man needed help, he went and helped the man.  Ray was always giving away stuff to people in need, he gave away two trucks that he was trying to sale because they needed them so badly.  He gave his shoes off his feet to a homeless man.  He wanted to show people the love of Jesus.

     Ray's famous words that he said to everyone was "Jesus Loves You!"  He preached one time at our church and he said that your mind doesn't comprehend things until you have heard it many times.  He traveled around the congregation saying, Jesus loves you, Jesus loves you, Jesus loves you, Jesus loves you. After hearing him say it over and over many times, it really did go from the head to the heart.  Thank you Ray for such a simple, yet powerful message.

     Karen wasn't able to have any children due to health reasons, so Ray and  Karen adopted two children; Samuel and Jordyn.

Samuel and Jordyn with Ray Maw

      Danny "Ray" Maw was a man that stood boldly for his beliefs.  Karen said that, "He was the spiritual leader of his home, he was a protector and provider for his family, he was what God calls men to be."

     On April 1st, 2012, Ray went home to be with the Lord, it was a huge shock to everyone.  Ray started having back problems and in May of 2011, he had to have back surgery.  A year prior to his surgery they put him on pain medicine, and then after the surgery he went to Pain Management.  Ray was familiar with addiction due to his past and he recognized the symptoms.  Ray was ready to get off the medicine; he was tired of taking it.  He tried to quit on his own, but it would only make him sick.  Ray went into a facility to get help on a Wednesday and he passed away on the following Sunday at the facility.  Later the family would find out that Ray had an unknown heart disease that caused his death.

      Ray didn't get to live a long life, but he made such an impact on people in his short life than most do in a life time. You can see the impact that he made on people by watching his funeral, see the legacy that Ray left. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtVMCW7Y1Oo

     Ray loved God, he loved his family and friends, he loved people, he loved his Clemson Tigers, but most importantly he loved to tell you that, "Jesus Loves You!" 

The Maw Family

Words of Ray Maw:
*March 9th, 2012-The Narrow Road leads to the Narrow Gate and beyond it you will find Life.
*Feb. 25th, 2012-With the family today.  Thinking about what it's gonna be like to walk hand in hand with my ABBA in the Garden...
*Feb. 8th, 2012-THIS DAY IN 1998, I gave my life into the hands of my Father, never to be the same again! Jesus!!!
*Jan. 11th, 2012-We MUST turn away from SIN! We MUST  be different from those who are NOT SAVED!  What is the difference between us and them?  IT'S MORE THAN FORGIVENESS MY FRIENDS!
*March 29th, 2011-I tried saving my money but ended up broke, so now I give it away and have too much! BAM TAKE IT!!!
*Feb. 23th, 2011-Life is full of challenges,victories and disappointments, it takes all in order to make you who you are and who God is calling you to be!  Keep moving and don't forget He knows your end from your beginning....
*May 26th, 2010-Why do we think that church is what we have on Wedenesday and Sunday? People WE ARE THE CHURCH! It's not a building, it's the people!

Ray was about challenging you, this is your challenge.....be the church! 
                               
     "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came and visit me."- Matthew 25: 35-36.  

"Rays Of Hope" Homeless Ministry

     Ray's ministry continues on through "Rays Of Hope", this is a ministry that was formed after Ray's passing. This group of people went out and fed the homeless, and now they are working with Miracle Hill. They continue to carry pre-made back packs with food, shampoo, etc. with them to give out, if they come across a homeless person.

Feeding the homeless....

Rays Of Hope https://www.facebook.com/groups/395327697214974/

"I Must Go All Out For Christ"

By Ray Maw

I've run the race and I have crossed the finish line.

I didn't finish first because I fell a few times.

But when I got up I picked up some others too,

I thought it would be great to bring them along.  

They slowed me down,

but I made it at last and I am glad I am here.

So here is the baton now it's your turn to run,

so run hard and run fast, 

if you fall down someone will be there to pick you up.

If  you see someone down along the way,

pick them up and when you reach that finish line

you will see last is really first.

This country girl met a city boy, and together they changed lives.