RAY ALDRED

Ray Aldred is of Cree descent and is a member of the Swan River Cree Band, which is located in Northern Alberta, Canada. He is married to Elaine since 1979 and has four adult children, 18, 20, 22 and, including one married daughter 24. He was ordained to the ministry in 1995.
After a number of years of pastoral ministry in the Native church, Ray, together with wife Elaine, are now devoting their energies to the development of family ministry programs with My People International. “Programs which address themselves to family and marital health can be a primary means of discipleship for Aboriginal people who value relationships above all things,” notes Aldred.

Ray and Elaine utilize and/or adapt existing programs targeting marriage and family life to bring a much needed infusion of positive, biblically-centred teaching to struggling Native families.

Recently re-located to Winnipeg, Ray and Elaine are working together with local Native churches to offer these programs. Together with these other partners they recruit 150 volunteers per year for the marriage ministry which minister to between 140 and 160 people in the year including follow-up small groups.

A gifted writer, speaker and teacher, Ray also delivers seminars and workshops on issues in the life of the Native church, Christian theology and perspectives of mission.

Ray serves as co-chair of the Aboriginal Task Force of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and is also a board member of the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies – a new approach to Native North American theology and education. In addition, Ray also serves on the board for SSILC (South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre), a non-profit organization for the advocacy and advancement for the rights of people living with disabilities.

Ray has a Masters of Divinity degree from Canadian Theological Seminary – the school where he subsequently taught public speaking, preaching, pastoral methods and evangelism in Aboriginal communities. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Theology as an extension student part-time from the London School of Theology.

Ray's heart is to live and teach the gospel story in a way that reveals the life and transforming love of Jesus Christ, who not only loves us but likes us.