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Presiding Elder/Pastor James K. Grayson, Sr.

Senior Pastor

Presiding Elder| Pastor James K. Grayson and First Lady Sandra Grayson

Weekly Sermon

Meet Our Pastor

Rev. James K. Grayson, Sr. is the 2^nd of 3 sons, of Rev. and Mrs. Jerry D. Grayson.

James currently serves as the Senior Pastor of St. Mary’s CME Church in Oklahoma City. He also serves as the Presiding Elder of both the Oklahoma City District and Tulsa District. James is also the Chaplain and Pastoral Care Provider for Bright Care Christian Counseling, LLC., and he has received his training and qualification as an Oklahoma Mediator. James was also elected by the ecumenical pastoral community of Oklahoma City to serve as the 2^nd Vice-President of the Concerned Clergy for Spiritual Renewal.

James is blessed to have married his best friend, high school sweetheart and love of his life Sandra Renae Grayson in 1987. They are blessed with 3 wonderful children Latricia Grayson of Dallas, TX, Brittany (Breshaun) Black of Oklahoma City, and 1Lt. James (Tamara) Grayson, Jr. of Columbus, GA. They also have 6 wonderful grandchildren.

James was born and raised in Oklahoma City and Boley Oklahoma. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized into the Christian faith at the age of 7.

James is a decorated US Army veteran. He has been educated at Boley High School, Oklahoma State University, REACT Bible Institute and OSU-OKC and is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

James has served in worship and ministry at Amos Temple CME Church in Boley OK, under Rev. Thomas Ruffin, Mt. Elam Baptist Church under the late Dr. T. L. Turner., Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church Plant under the leadership of his older brother, Rev. Jerry L. Grayson in Moore, OK, and Unity Baptist Church under Dr. Eric A. Mayes, Jr.. It was here at Unity that James yielded to the call and was licensed to the preaching ministry in 1996.

Later, Presiding Elder Richard Laskey recruited James to serve as interim pastor for Ware Chapel CME Church, Earlsboro, OK in 2001. James was subsequently ordained and brought into Full Connection in the CME Church under the leadership of Bishop Henry M. Williamson. James was later assigned as Pastor of Israel CME Church, and currently serves as the Senior Pastor of the great St. Mary’s CME Church, and as the Presiding Elder of both the Oklahoma City District and Tulsa District.

James has served in numerous capacities within the church, to include the Ministerial Examination Committee for the Oklahoma Region, Clergy Delegate to the General Convention, District Treasurer, Chairman of the Oklahoma Region Joint Board of Finance. Regional Board of Trustees, to name few.

James has received numerous recognitions and awards for ministry. James’ emphasis has been on authentic Biblical comprehension, Christian Development, marriage and relationship pastoral care, general benevolence and helps ministry and to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ in the building and expansion of the Kingdom of God.

James credits his spiritual success to divine providence, leadership, grace, mercy and favor of our Heavenly Father in placing strong spiritual leaders and mentors in his path.

As it is written, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (II Corinthians 2:9).

Personal theme is to be All About JESUS – Know Him, Show Him and Make Him Known (1 Corinthians 2:2, Philippians 3:12)

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40. Serving God means serving mankind, and helping those in need is one of the greatest acts of worship. By serving others, we honor God and fulfill our purpose as His children.

Rev. James K. Grayson

Meet Our Dedicated Team

Rev. Thomas E. Ruffin

Rev. Debra Spears

Rev. Gerald R. Stephens

Our History

The History of St. Mary's CME Church

St. Mary Mission was organized by Reverend Mrs. Mary Washington on August 25, 1935, in the home of Mrs. Mary Thomas, Sr. The Mission was admitted into the Oklahoma Annual Conference of the CM.E. Churches in November 1939. The presiding Bishop at the time of admission was the late Rt. Reverend J. A. Hamlett.

Times were hard and money was scarce at the time the Mission was in the process of being founded. There was a depression in progress and from there we were in the midst of WW II. Therefore, each minister who served the church did so with great personal sacrifice. In spite of this, each made great contributions to the life and development of the church.

Reverend Mary Washington, founder and organizer of the Mission, served the first year at the salary of $27.00 and a suit of clothing made by Mrs. V. L. Mason. She appointed her famous “Look-Out Committee” and raised the money for the down payment on the purchase of the site at Northeast 4th and Kelham Streets.

Mother Hattie McKinney smiled as she told of the old building on that first site at N.E. 4th and Kelham.

On January 6, 1970, a devastating fire destroyed the buildings on the property, including the furnishings. The congregation was stunned but was not in despair. This seemed to draw us closer together. With the words of encouragement from Bishop Amos, Presiding Elder Lewers, along with the leadership of our Pastor, Reverend Thomas R. Norman and the help our many friends, we set about plans to rebuild.

We found a building which formerly housed a plumbing shop and began to hold worship services there. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.” Through prayer and faith in God the impossible can be wrought. The miracle happened and the Urban Renewal Authority purchased our land. This, added to our small building fund, allowing us to purchase our present site at Eastern (now Martin Luther King Avenue) and Euclid.

November 19, 1972, Bishop Walter H. Amos officiated the Groundbreaking Ceremonies. The Grand Opening and Laying of the Corner Stone Ceremonies were held February 10, 1974. Bishop Walter H. Amos, Presiding Prelate, Reverend S.D. Lewers, Presiding Elder and Reverend Thomas B. Norman was the Pastor.

God has blessed this church with many amazing Pastors, and a faithful and dedicated congregation to continually, worship, praise, and glorify our Father in Heaven. This House of God’s has been a pillar in this community for 90 amazing years. It’s love, faith, hope, perseverance and Trust in God will continue to move this House of God’s into the future.