Ray was born in Gadsden and spent his early years in the Gadsden and Atlanta
areas. After high school, Ray went to Martin College in Tennessee on a basketball scholarship then transferred to Jacksonville State University (JSU) to finish out his undergraduate studies with a degree in Psychology. While attending graduate school at JSU to become a counselor, Ray became a Christian and got involved with Campus Outreach (C/O) ministries. Through his involvement with C/O, Ray was able to go to Brazil for a summer long missions’ trip to assist in pioneering a new college ministry in Belo Horizonte. Upon arriving home, Ray met his beautiful wife of 25 years at a C/O summer beach project. Ray and Lisa now have two children.  Ray enjoys hanging with his family, studying God’s Word, running, traveling, and watching/playing tennis.

After finishing his master’s in counseling at JSU, Ray acquired his Masters of Divinity from Birmingham Theological Seminary. Ray has over 25 years of experience as a counselor and pastor in various ministries and churches. He served at Rainbow as the Director of Ministries from 2004-2012. Then at Briarwood Presbyterian Church he served as one of their pastors from 2012-2023. He and his family are very thankful for the opportunity to return to Rainbow as the Lead Pastor.

Wade is thankful that his parents were involved in church as he grew up. He placed his faith in Christ at an early age. He was born in Thibodaux, Louisiana and grew up in the outskirts of New Orleans.  He attended Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, Alabama and in 1988 graduated with a degree in Pastoral Theology. Over the past forty years he has served the church as a teacher, youth pastor, senior pastor, elder and missions leader.  He has had the privilege of ministering in Belize, Australia, Venezuela, and for the past ten years he has ministered in Tanzania, Africa. Wade joined Rainbow Presbyterian Church in 2006 and became a full-time staff member in 2016.
Wade has been married to Kimbra for twenty-five years.  They have four children: Jennifer, Andrew, Josiah and Julia.  Three of their four children are married and they have six grandchildren.  One of their greatest joys is spending time with the family. Wade has had the joy of serving in Tanzania with Kimbra and two of his children for ten years

Rainbow Pres is honored to have Rev. Michael Wichlan join our ministry team as of Dec. 1, 2024.  Michael has previously been an assistant pastor at Briarwood Presbyterian Church.  Michael and his wife Denise are excited to come be a part of the Rainbow family. Michael has a vast array of both corporate and ministry experiences serving as assistant pastor in both Texas and Alabama churches as well as working in the distribution/operations industry before entering full time ministry. He looks forward to working alongside the ministry team and congregation at RPC.  

A native of north Georgia, Matt and his wife Haley (who teaches 1st Grade at JSJ Elementary) met while in the band at Jacksonville State University. After meeting Haley, Matt felt God’s hand directing them together.  Upon their marriage in 2014, the Weavers began serving the greater Gadsden community as educators. They felt strongly that God was leading them to Rainbow Presbyterian Church, and to raise a family in the community.

Matt is the Director of Bands at Southside High School and has enjoyed watching that program grow and flourish.  He is a 2012 graduate of Jacksonville State University and a 2020 graduate of the University of West Georgia.  He serves as Principal Tubist for the Gadsden Symphony Orchestra.

Haley teaches first grade at John S. Jones Elementary School and previously taught Kindergarten at Highland Elementary where she was twice awarded Teacher-of-the-Year.  Haley has a tremendous heart for kids and volunteers as a children’s music teacher at Rainbow Presbyterian. The Weavers have three boys, Benton, Pearson, and Callon.  They reside in Rainbow City, AL.

Tori grew up about an hour outside of Gadsden, in Sylacauga, AL. Growing up in a family and a church that valued missions, led her to fall in love with missions and gave her the unique privilege of seeing God at work in so many different cultures. She moved to Nashville, TN where she lived for ten years. In Nashville, she was a nanny, was a preschool art teacher, and a personal assistant. Through her work in the youth ministry at her church God combined her love for art, culture and administrative work and moved her to live in Comas, Peru; mostly teaching Peruvian women art and micro financing. Through her time there God developed more of her heart for full-time ministry.
In 2020, Tori moved back to Alabama, settling in Gadsden to be near her family. In 2021, God led her to Rainbow Presbyterian to be the Children’s director. In January 2023, she completed her CDM Children’s Ministry Certification with the PCA.
She also got married in January of 2023, to her husband Elliott, who is the YoungLife Area director. Tori also loves coffee, travel, movies, and most of all spending time with family and friends. She believes community is one of the greatest gifts we receive and that we are made for it.  

Reed is a Gadsden native, born and raised in the Noccalula area. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education at Jacksonville State University. He was an elementary school teacher for several years, before realizing a call to ministry.
Reed leads our Junior High and Senior High youth students.
He married his beautiful wife, Jill, in 2011, and together they have four wonderful children: Hattie, Solomon,  Beatrix, and Lydia.  In his spare time, he loves to work on cars, computers, houses and really anything he can do with his hands. He also enjoys writing and filming movies.