About Us
Pastor Ray Lockhart, Jr.
Born the only son of Ray and Laura Lockhart on June 7, 1963. He has three sisters, Linda L. McDowell, Penny Canty (Deceased) and Colrosee L. Russell.
He serves as the Senior Pastor of his home church, Ellis Chapel Baptist Church, Patterson Springs, N.C. He served ECBC as youth pastor for four years before becoming the Senior Pastor.
He graduated from Crest High School in 1981. He continued his education at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute from 2001-2003. Receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Studies from North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC from 2003-2006. Master of Divinity in Christian Education from Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, N.C from 2006-2009.
He is married to Dr. Linda Williams Lockhart. Although they have no biological children, Pastor and Dr. Lockhart are godparents to Tyler D’Angelo Mitchell.
Pastor Lockhart serves as the Dean of the Empowerment Leadership Training Institute for Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Association and a member of the General Board for the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
Pastor Lockhart loves teaching and preaching with this theme in mind, “O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8
Dr. Lockhart was born in Boing Springs, NC on August 23, 1964 to the late Pauline McGill Williams. Dr. Lockhart graduated from Shelby High School in 1982. She graduated from Cleveland Technical College with an Associate in Computer Programming, Cleveland Community College with an Associate in Elementary Education. She continued her education at Gardner-Webb University and received an undergraduate degree in Elementary Studies. After teaching first grade for one school year, she went on to further her academic pursuits at Appalachian State University and received a Master in Library Science in 2000.
While sitting under a dryer at Lily’s Hair Salon, Dr. Lockhart heard the voice of the Holy Spirit say, “Go to Divinity School.” Without hesitation, Dr. Lockhart applied and earned two degrees from the M. Christopher White School of Divinity, Master of Divinity (December 2016) and Doctor of Ministry (December 2022).
Dr. Lockhart worked for Cleveland County Schools (Township Three Elementary School and Shelby Middle School) for 30.4 years as a Library Media Specialist and Extreme Reading Teacher. She retired in May 2024.
Currently Dr. Lockhart is the CEO of U-Gotta Believe Ministries, LLC which focuses on training believers in the Discipleship Academy, and a podcast called the G.I.F.T where listeners can gain information for transformation. She is the teacher for the Real Talk Sunday School class at Ellis Chapel Baptist Church, and in addition she serves as the Christian Education Director for Ellis Chapel and the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Association. She is an adjunct professor of Christian Formation for the M. Christopher White School of Divinity.
She and Pastor Lockhart married on June 14, 1986, although they have no biological children, they are the proud god-parents to Tyler D’Angelo Mitchell.
Dr. Lockhart’s constant prayer is Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.”
