Raymond Bernard Spencer was the youngest child born to Manfred and Helen Spencer on September 21, 1964. He was born in Houston, Texas. At the age of nine (9), he gave his life to Christ at the Hopewell Baptist Church, Houston, Texas. He attended and graduated from public schools there before matriculating to Oklahoma Christian College where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1989. In 1993, he completed a Master of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. The apex of his academic career took place in December, 2001, when he graduated from Southwestern with a doctorate degree in theology. He holds the distinction of being the first full-time African-American professor at Southwestern where he taught preaching in the School of Theology. He was also an adjunct professor of Old and New Testament at Dallas Baptist University. In addition, he faithfully served as Superintendent of Sunday School and Assistant to Pastor Isadore Edwards, Jr. at The New Rising Star Baptist Church.

From a Kingdom perspective, only God has the full account of that record. However, some of us can attest to these facts: Dr. Raymond Spencer was a skillful student and expositor of the Word, a caring and prepared professor in the classroom, a dynamic proclaimer of God's truth, a gifted and versatile singer- capable of transforming the simplest hymn into a ballad of glorious praise, then rousing congregations with soul-stirring renditions of both traditional and contemporary gospel.

For many of us who were privileged to share in close fellowship with him, Raymond Spencer was simply a jovial and considerate friend. Not only did he tower above most in stature, his generosity was often just as expansive.

We will always cherish fond memories of Raymond Spencer, whose length of days on this side seem all too brief. He departed this life on January 10, 2003. However, we find comfort in knowing that he now rests peacefully in the arms of our Lord.

In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Raymond B. Spencer, The New Rising Star Baptist Church has established the Raymond B. Spencer Minority Scholarship Fund. This fund endeavors to assure minority students, who meet the criteria for scholarship assistance, the pursuit of higher education. This fund embodies the magnanimous spirit of its namesake and reflects his passion for helping others to believe in themselves. The proper management of monies procured for assistance to minority students will preserve Dr. Raymond B. Spencer's advocacy for excellence.