My Message of God's Love

Singing gospel music is my life. I have sung gospel music since I was 12 years old. It's my calling, and my way of praising the Lord!

Nonetheless, 17 years ago I stopped singing publicly because I was told I would not be accepted as a gay gospel singer in many churches, nor by the gospel music industry.

In 2003, after my mother passed away, I decided that I could no longer suppress the call of God to sing. I began again to sing anywhere the door was opened for me. It meant that I went back in the closet in the sense that my lifestyle was none of their business. Surely the fact I sing to praise God is all they needed to know.

It seems not. I asked that my name and CD be listed on ChristianGays.com, which was discovered by someone who did consider it her business. I received an e-mail a few weeks ago from a total stranger asking if I'm gay. I responded by asking what business it was of hers. She said a friend of hers was planning to attend one of my concerts so wanted to know.

She apparently knew someone in a local southern gospel Quartet who knew me and contacted them. They in turn presumably contacted places they knew I had concerts booked to inform those folks I'm gay! Because of this, about 10 concerts on my 2004 schedule were cancelled. Some were canceled by the church or festival, telling me they did not want a gay person singing at their function. Other concerts I canceled myself because I was just tired of the emails and phone calls telling me not to come to their church. One man went so far as to send me a package with all the beliefs of his church against homosexually and how he felt about it being an abomination in God's eyes.

God created me, and created me gay. Why would a creature of God's be an abomination? I love God! I know God loves me!

I have two goals for telling my story. First, I want to say publicly that I WILL NOT STOP SINGING PRAISES TO GOD! GOD HAS GIVEN ME A VOICE AND A CALLING TO DO SO!

Secondly, I want to ask for the prayers and support of the affirming community. I've always felt that the gay and lesbian community really needs to hear about God's love and grace, and what I intend to do is to sing to them about it. Do I have a story and testimony to share? You'd better believe it!

Please pray that God will continue to open doors for me to share the gift that's been given to me. Please visit my website Ray Vester Ministries or email me at rvm@rayvester.com if you or your church are interested in booking me for a concert.

Blessings to all that read this article. May God's will be done in our lives.

Ray Vester

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