Kerry Ray serves as Director of Publishing for YM360. Prior to joining YM360, Kerry was a youth ministry veteran with over 27 years of experience serving and leading ministries in churches of various sizes, denominations, and multi-site strategies.
After nearly three decades immersed in all things youth ministry, Kerry is quick to tell you that he still finds immeasurable joy and life in every opportunity he has to engage teenagers and youth workers, whether that be in the form of camp/retreat speaking, writing, content creating, coaching youth workers, developing young leaders, enlightening parents on adolescent development, church consulting, or training youth ministry volunteer teams.
Born and raised in Mississippi, Kerry attended Mississippi State University, Mississippi College, and Samford University. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Mississippi College (‘98) and a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School of Samford University (‘01). Kerry received his coaching certification through the Center for Advanced Coaching (‘16) and is also a certified HomeWord Trainer of Parent/Family Seminars and Trainor of Trainers through Dr. Jim Burns and Azusa Pacific University (‘19). In addition, he has spent over seven years as a 1-on-1 Ministry Coach, individually and in partnership with The Youth Cartel, for numerous youth pastors, senior pastors, and ministry leaders across the country and of various denominations.
When asked where his allegiance lies, he won’t hesitate to tell you that he is a long-suffering yet faithful and proud cowbell-ringing MSU Bulldog (#HailState). Kerry and his wife Stefanie live in Birmingham with their two children.
Twitter: @Kray2U
Instagram: @Kray2U
Facebook: @Kray2U
Coaching Specialties: mission/strategy, ministry alignment, teenage culture/adolescent development, small group/discipleship strategy, developing volunteers/staff, ministry programming/calendaring, staff/organizational development, integration of youth into the larger church