Join us as we journey with Ray Flynn of Abraham Productions, where we explore the transformative power of faith through music. In this heartwarming chat, Ray shares his experience of hosting a worship event at Graceland, Elvis Presley's iconic home, and the extraordinary opportunity it presented to spread the gospel. Our conversation then takes a turn to Washington DC, where the 'Restoring the Foundations' concert is set to take place. Listen in as Ray recounts his serendipitous meeting with Steve Green, the president of Hobby Lobby, and the exciting prospects this holds for southern gospel music and the spiritual uplifting of the nation ahead of a pivotal presidential election.
In the spirit of community and ministry, we express our profound appreciation for the support and encouragement that fuels our collective service to God. We acknowledge the tireless efforts of those in our ministry network, highlighting the importance of celebrating and praising the Source of our inspiration and dedication.
Join us as we journey with Ray Flynn of Abraham Productions, where we explore the transformative power of faith through music. In this heartwarming chat, Ray shares his experience of hosting a worship event at Graceland, Elvis Presley's iconic home, and the extraordinary opportunity it presented to spread the gospel. Our conversation then takes a turn to Washington DC, where the 'Restoring the Foundations' concert is set to take place. Listen in as Ray recounts his serendipitous meeting with Steve Green, the president of Hobby Lobby, and the exciting prospects this holds for southern gospel music and the spiritual uplifting of the nation ahead of a pivotal presidential election.
In the spirit of community and ministry, we express our profound appreciation for the support and encouragement that fuels our collective service to God. We acknowledge the tireless efforts of those in our ministry network, highlighting the importance of celebrating and praising the Source of our inspiration and dedication.
0:00:00 - Melody
Hi, I'm Melody and I'm Candi, and you're listening to Quirks, Bumps, and Bruises. Melody, Candi on the Joy Ride along with Ray Flynn and you know Ray from Abraham Productions, and Ray is just involved in so many wonderful events. You've heard of the Ark Encounter. I know, yeah, and let's see Graceland, right.
0:00:22 - Ray Flynn
Oh yeah, yeah, we've been to Graceland. We went there and we asked them before they invited us to come there and do an event, which was a surprise to me, and I told them before I went there. I said, no, you need to know about our event. I said because our event is more like a worship event, where we were going to open the Bible up and we're going to read scripture and we're going to get people opportunity to know Jesus. And I said, here at Graceland, is that going to be OK?
And they were like oh yeah, absolutely. And so, hey, what an opportunity to go to the home of Elvis Presley was that and tell people about Jesus, you know?
0:00:59 - Melody
Amen, amen. And then I know you know, of course, singing in the sun. There's so many wonderful events, but there's one coming up, ray, that is going to take place in Washington DC, and I thought how in the world did we swing that?
0:01:16 - Ray Flynn
Well, last year it was last year in January we had we had been looking at sponsors for the 40 days of Christian music over at the Ark encounter, and so somebody told me that the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC was interested in at least talking to us about potentially sponsoring the event. So we go in there and I'll just be honest with you, I didn't even know who I was meeting. All I knew I was supposed to go in for a meeting. So go in there and we go upstairs and walk into this boardroom there at the Museum of the Bible and Harry Hargrave, who is their CEO, he comes walking in We've never met before and he looks at me and he says hey, is Steve here?
Why didn't he know who he was talking about? Because I didn't know who Steve was and I was like I don't know. And he said are you in a big hurry? And I said no. I said I'm here in Washington to meet with you. I said so, whatever. So he said if you can wait 15 minutes, he said Steve will be here and he said he wants to meet you. So he said if you can stay, please stay. I said OK. So I waited. 15 minutes later I hear them say well, Steve is in the building and his security details bringing him in and like, ok, I didn't think anything about that, because I came to security, to you know, when I walked in, because I mean, hey, you're in Washington DC and the Museum of the Bible itself is one of those kind of things. People say, ok, so I walked there, security. So that's what I thought. Well, about five minutes later, Steve walks in and it's Steve Green who is the president of Hobby Lobby.
0:02:58 - Melody
Oh, my word.
0:03:00 - Ray Flynn
And so he comes in and I didn't know that he actually set on their board at the Museum of the Bible. And so he comes in, he sets down and he says I appreciate you waiting on me. And he said I know that you have a presentation you wanted to give us. He said but you know, I've heard about what all you've been doing at your events. And he said I wanted to meet you. And he said so I drove over today because I just want to hear what you had to say. And I'm thinking to myself you want to meet me. You know you're the president of Hobby Lobby and and he was like, yeah, I said I wanted to hear what you had to say. And so he said go ahead.
So I told him about the event at the Ark and I told him about how many people have been saved there, and I said you know, we'd love to have you to sponsor the event. And we just talked a little bit and he said you know? He said this sounds really good to me and he said we, we need to talk about this separately after you leave. And he said but we'll let you know in just a few days. He said but one thing I want to ask you before you leave. He said I see the passion in your heart for what you do for the Lord, and he said I want you to bring an event here to Washington at our venue. He said we have the World Stage Theater right here at the Museum of the Bible.
Goodness, oh would you be willing to do that?
0:04:17 - Melody
That gives me cold chills, Ray.
0:04:18 - Ray Flynn
Yes, I know and I'm thinking to myself this is, this is a person that most people would give anything to have five minutes to sit down and talk to this guy.
0:04:30 - Melody
And he just happened to walk in the day you were there.
0:04:34 - Ray Flynn
Well, harry had told him that I was coming, and so he says that he wants to drive there to meet me. And I didn't believe that. And so I sat there and I didn't believe that and I said, yeah, I'd definitely be interested in bringing that. And he said, well, let us know what works for you. And so we looked at the schedule. So this year, October the 10th, 11th, and 12th, we're going to be in the nation's capital, right there in Washington DC, at the Museum of the Bible, in the World Stage Theater, presenting the gospel and preaching and everything else. And notice, it is only three weeks before the presidential election is when God opened the door for us to do that, oh my goodness, oh my goodness.
And so we're calling it restoring the foundation's concert. Oh, I love that, and so we're going to go in there. We're going to go in there, we're going to have great southern gospel music and we've got preaching and we're going to be praying over our nation, and so it's going to be an amazing, amazing event.
0:05:38 - Melody
Well, just a couple of things that I think of with you telling that story. I know you are so you're such an humble guy you really are and you're obedient to the Lord, and I know that God blesses that obedience, and I feel like God has done that with you, ray, and with your events. They're successful. They've led hundreds of people, thousands of people, to the Lord, and I do think God blesses your ministry above and beyond.
And then I also just think about the choreography of the Lord and how he works things out sometimes for us that are so unexpected, but all of that works for his good and his glory. I don't want to say we applaud you, because I know you don't want that, but I do applaud your obedience and your willingness to be bold and to make sure that as many people as possible, whether it's Washington DC, whether it's at the Ark, whether it's at singing in the sun, whether it's at Elvis's house, wherever that people are going to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and life will be changed for eternity. I love to say this, Ray, I didn't make this up.
Max Lucado said this in one of his books. He said one day we'll enter heaven and Jesus may walk over to us and say, in your case, Ray, hey, Ray, come over here. You see that person over there. They were at the Ark one day. One day, and because of that concert that was going on, they came to know Christ. You want to go meet them? And I just think about what eternity will be like when we're able to meet and to fellowship in heaven with those that we have come in contact with through our lives. So again, we are thankful for you, thankful for your ministry, and we love you and, as always, whatever you need, if we can help in any way, we are honored to do that.
0:07:27 - Ray Flynn
To God be the glory. I thank y'all as well, and I appreciate all that you do too, because people don't realize the sacrifice of what you guys do as well, and so we just say to God be the glory. We'll just get together and praise the only one that's worthy right.
0:07:42 - Melody
Absolutely.
0:07:43 - Announcer 1
Thanks for listening to the Quirks, Bumps and Bruises Podcast with Candi and Melody. If you enjoyed the show, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast. You can learn more at joyFM.org.
0:08:00 - Announcer 2
Try Peas and Carrots Podcast for more encouragement. Brian and Kayla share life from their piece of the vegetable patch. Expect to laugh, find common ground, and hear stories you can't wait to share. It's a podcast about doing life together, growing in Christ together, and learning to laugh no matter what comes your way. Search Peas and Carrots Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts today.