08/30/2026
There are some moments in the life of a church that are both incredibly difficult and incredibly exciting.
In 2015, Pastor Ray McCormick and his wife, Robin, stepped out in faith and planted NewLife Baptist Church right here in Casa Grande. For more than a decade, they have faithfully loved Jesus, served His church, invested in people, preached the Word, and poured themselves into our community.
Now, the Lord is leading them into a new chapter as they follow His call to Liberty Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina, and today was their their last Sunday with us.
We are genuinely sad to see them go. We will miss their leadership, their friendship, and the faithful presence they have had in our church family. But we are also excited for what God is doing through them. This isn't ultimately about a pastor leaving one church for another—it's about Jesus building His Church and faithfully directing His people.
Ray and Robin, thank you for saying yes to Jesus. Thank you for faithfully serving NewLife and the Casa Grande community. We love you, we are grateful for you, and we are praying that God will use you mightily in Durham!
And church family, this is not the end of NewLife. The same Jesus who called us together in 2015 is still building His church today. Our hope has never been in a pastor, a personality, or a particular season of ministry. Our hope is in Jesus Christ.
As we enter this season of transition and begin seeking the Lord's direction in our pastoral search, we need to do more than ask, “Who will be our next pastor?”
We need to ask, “Jesus, what do You want to do in and through Your church?”
So let's pray. Let's stay faithful. Let's serve. Let's invite people to Jesus. Let's encourage one another. Let's refuse to let uncertainty become an excuse for complacency.
NewLife, our mission hasn't changed. Jesus hasn't changed. The Gospel hasn't changed. And our God is not finished with us yet.
To God be the glory for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do next.
Please join us in praying for them as they begin this new chapter—and for NewLife as we seek the Lord together for the future.