Concord Fellowship of Churches International

HISTORY OF CFCI

In October of 2007, Dr. R. Ray Gatewood in conjunction with other interested parties began discussions on the idea of developing an association of Christian individuals and ministries regardless of denomination, who were interested in establishing a organization that would support men and women who were a) being called to start ministries; b) coordinate ministry efforts between Christian organizations; and c) coach teach and mentor ministry leaders as they endeavor to do God’s work. Thus, the concept of Concord Fellowship of Churches International was born. The name "Concord" implies unanimity between different parties and people. It implies agreement, especially in purpose and direction; in one word, "Unity". Fellowship grasps the concept of "koinoneia" a term Paul used in describing a loving, caring, sharing group of believers.

After some initial coordination meetings, a group of local ministry leaders met to discuss process , By-laws, elect leaders, and to formulate a strategy that would fulfill the organization’s purpose. The first Board of Directors was elected but soon decided that they could not fulfill the organization’s mandate. In December 2009, God placed within the heart of Dr. Gatewood a simple message, namely, “My will be done”. Understanding that this venture was ordained by God, Dr. Gatewood, sought out men and women who were called by God and were willing to be personally invested in the fiduciary responsibilities of the organization. Dr. Gatewood was led to the following men and women:

Mrs. Kim Gatewood

Dr. Robert Cockfield,

Mr. Jonathan Goodman,

Mr. Joe Washington

Mrs. Martha Weatherby

Ms. Brenda Sneed

Mr. Michael Galbreath

Mrs. Yolanda Cockfield

Mr. Thomas Reaves

Mrs. Amelia Reaves

After much prayer, coordination meetings, and discussing the role of members of the Board of Directors, CFCI was incorporated and began its mission in earnest as a "cooperative fellowship" of Christians and Christian organizations. On February 27, 2010, the Board of Directors voted to have the position of President of the Board re-designated to that of Bishop and Dr. Gatewood was elected as the first Presiding Bishop of CFCI.

Our Founder and Presiding Prelate | Bishop (Dr.) R. Ray Gatewood, M.DIV.MIN

Bishop (Dr.) R. Ray Gatewood was raised in a Christian home and is a native of Lonoke, Arkansas. After hearing an anointed message preached by his older brother, he accepted Christ into his life and made a life-long commitment to God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dr. Gatewood attended George Washington Carver High School and later graduated from Lonoke High School. He was selected as one of Arkansas' Outstanding Teenagers of America and was voted Best All Around in his senior class. He attended the University of Central Arkansas and later received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the State of New York. He continued his education at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary and received a Master of Divinity Degree. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and culminated his education at Baylor University with the degree of Doctor of Ministry in Theology with an emphasis in Spiritual Formation. He is a member of the Theta Alpha Kappa National Honor Society for Religious Studies.

Dr. Gatewood served in the United States Army and retired after twenty-six years of service. He ministered faithfully to God's people as an Evangelist for 18 years before becoming the Senior Pastor of Bethesda Fellowship Ministries where he has served as Pastor for twenty-four years.

Dr. Gatewood established a Gospel service at the historic Chapel of the Centurion in Hampton, Virginia, and established a bible study group at the Military Chapel in Newport News, Virginia. He served as an area Evangelist in the Republic of South Korea and the Adjutant General for the 3^rd Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God In Christ in Texas. In 1998, God led him to start Bethesda Fellowship Ministries in Copperas Cove, Texas. In fulfilling his Vision 2010 project, a 10,000 square feet worship and educational facility in Copperas Cove was built and serving as the headquarters for Bethesda Fellowship Ministries, Bethesda Theological Institute and Seminary, and Concord Fellowship of Churches International.

As Bishop of Concord Fellowship of Churches International, Dr. Gatewood leads the efforts of many church and para-church organizations across the country, including ministries in Africa and Haiti, with the goal of planning and organizing new church missions, establishing developmental training models for pastors and ministry leaders, and leading the cooperative efforts of those organizations toward ministry excellence.

Along with serving as Dean and Center Director of Bethesda Theological Institute and Seminary, Dr. Gatewood also serves as a Professor of Theology, Biblical Languages, and Biblical Studies.

In his community, Dr. Gatewood served as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner and a City Council Member for the city of Copperas Cove, Texas. He served one term as the city’s Mayor Pro Tempore. He served as the President of the Copperas Cove Ministerial Alliance and a member of the Citizens Police Academy. He is a former Board Member of the Copperas Cove Independent School District Foundation. Also, served three terms as the Ninth District Chaplain of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., a District that encompasses the states of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. He is married to Kim Gatewood and has four daughters.