How We Came Together
From Ray's Side
Before Ray ever walked into Pure Heart Church International, he felt that God was preparing him for marriage. After Bible school, a series of dreams, prayers, and unexpected connections kept pointing him toward a woman he had not yet truly met. An invitation to Pure Heart that he had overlooked a year earlier, along with several people and circumstances already connected to the church, eventually led him there.
On a rainy Bible study night, Ray finally walked into Pure Heart. Alexia was leading worship alone, and he was the first person to arrive as service began. Seeing her felt like the answer to a story God had already been writing in private.
But recognizing something in Alexia did not make the road ahead simple. Ray chose not to force the relationship. Through seasons of uncertainty, distance, and moments when he nearly lost hope, he kept praying, growing, and trusting God. Dreams and timely encouragement renewed his faith, while friendship and serving together in a church production eventually created space for honest conversation. His journey was not simply about knowing—it was about learning to wait faithfully, love patiently, and let God unfold their relationship in His time.
From Alexia's Side
That same Bible study night began differently for Alexia. She was leading worship alone when Ray became the first person to walk in as service started. For one brief moment, a thought crossed her mind: “Maybe that’s my future husband.” Just as quickly, she set it aside. She did not want to build a decision around a passing thought; she wanted to be led by God.
For Alexia, certainty grew through relationship rather than arriving all at once. She watched their friendship deepen through prayer, conversation, shared faith, and time. She saw how Ray encouraged and supported her through difficult seasons, the sacrifices he made, and the kindness he showed not only to her but to others. She came to know his heart through the way he served, led, and remained patient.
Over time, Alexia experienced a love that remained steady even when she was cautious, stubborn, or still processing—one she came to recognize as genuine and unconditional. Ray’s patience and consistency showed her how deeply he loved her and how seriously he regarded their future. What began as a quickly dismissed thought on that rainy Bible study night gradually became a quiet certainty: this was the man God had been preparing her to recognize.
Neither of them could see the entire road on that first night. Ray received a conviction before he understood the process, while Alexia received a glimpse that she chose not to rush. Through prayer, friendship, service, sacrifice, and time, God brought them to the same answer in His timing. What began in a nearly empty room on a rainy Bible study night became the beginning of their life together. 🤍
