Meet Elder, Pastor Billy R. Cummings

 

Minister Billy Ray Cummings was born in Sacramento, California to Rev. Cleo M and Roberta Cummings a well known Pastor and the Church Planter of New Testament Baptist Church of North Highlands California. Minister Billy accepted Jesus as His Savior and Lord in 1974.  Minister Cummings has been happily married to Cathy Cummings for 34 years.  He has four children; Anthony, Teneshia, Jennifer and Christopher.  The scripture he lives by is Philippians 1:21 - “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In 1977 while alone in his apartment the LORD called him to make a commitment to Him and to preach the gospel. 

Minister Cummings replied “I will if YOU tell me what to say.” 

After committing his life to Christ, Minister Cummings attended El Camino Baptist Extension Bible School and Trinity Bible College.  He was called to Pastor at Unity Fellowship Baptist Church from 1982 to 1986 until the LORD reassigned him.  After leaving Unity Fellowship he was employed by the state as the Chaplain for the Sacramento Work Release Program from 1987- to 1992.  As a member of the New Testament Baptist Church in 1987, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit he taught children about Christ who were attending the Children’s Ministry. His passion for ministry has been in Christian Education - “Teaching the Word of God that people may know who they are in Christ and how God sees and loves them.”

In January 2000, Robert D. Ester Sr., and his wife Arlinda were called to Shepard the flock of New Testament Baptist Church after Pastor C. M, Cummings retired. In 2003, Minister Billy was assign to the staff as Ministry Coordinator, Christian Education Director and Associate Pastor. Pastor Ester returned to Texas in May of 2008.

On June 1, 2008, under the recommendation of Pastor Ester, Minister Billy became the Interim Pastor for New Testament Baptist Church.  He says “The most challenging and exciting thing about serving at New Testament Baptist Church was trusting God, loving His people and living an example of Christ so that they may see Him”.  His favorite book in the Bible is Ephesians for it formed his salvation and told him who he really is in Christ Jesus. On February 28, 2010 God released Pastor Billy from the field of labor at New Testament Baptist Church, where he was blessed to serve and thankful for such a great opportunity to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. 

On March 7, 2010, in the home of Delores Johnson, Pastor Billy and Cathy were invited for what they thought was an appreciation celebration. But God had other plans; he gave Pastor Billy a word to start New Love Ministries.  The majority of the members came out of New Testament Baptist Church, where we had for years, worshiped under the leadership of his father, Pastor C.M. Cummings, until he retired. Pastor Billy is living a miracle to this day. God’s future of possibilities is always ahead. To God Be the Glory.