Our Pastor
Servant George Rayford is a man after God’s own heart and with the character of a humble servant, he prefers to be called just that.
Born in Byhalia Mississippi to Henry and Freddie Rayford. He is one of 18 siblings. Twelve boys and 6 girls.
At the age of 12, he confessed his life to Christ on the “mourning bench” at Union Valley Missionary Baptist Church.
Servant grew up working on a farm and by the age of 14 he had moved to Memphis Tennessee.
In 1970 at the age of 23, he moved to Aurora, Illinois and began working at Moline Operations. He worked his way up to being Union President and served in that capacity for 11 ½ years.
Servant Rayford joined Progressive Baptist and sang in the choir.
On August 4, 1977, he was ordained as a Deacon under the leadership of the late Pastor Robert Wesby. He served as a Deacon for over 15 years.
In preparation for furthering his leadership role, Servant Rayford began a hospital ministry. Often known in the community as “fish man George”, he continues to build that ministry while reeling in the lost by being an example of Christ.
In April of 1992 under the leadership of Pastor Roy Brown, Servant was blessed to receive his Preacher license.
God in His infinite wisdom strategically prepared Servant Rayford for such a time as this.
In March of 1997, Reverend Isaiah Malone having been led by the spirit, approached Servant to become the under shepherd of New Community Baptist Church. After much prayer, and encouragement by his own pastor, Reverend Brown of Progressive Baptist Church he humbly accepted the call to become Pastor of New Community Baptist Church in March of 1998. During his tenure he has had a hand in building the congregation to over 200 faithful members. Under his leadership he has ordained twelve Deacons and three Ministers. Several ministries have been birthed since that wonderful day in March.
New Community Baptist church was built in 1930 by Trinity Lutheran Church. It was designed and built to have an upper level sanctuary but was never finished. Being led by the Holy Spirit, in 2002, Servant Rayford encouraged the congregation to support the building of the upper-level sanctuary. In 2003, construction began and by November 21, 2004 the first service was held in the new sanctuary.
On February 9th 2020, New Community held a Mortgage Burning Ceremony. Yet one more display of his infinite wisdom and guidance.
Servant Rayford served as a leader in the Ministerial Alliance, an Aurora based organization of ministers in the Fox Valley area. He served as President for three terms. As President, he started the College Scholarship Fund which has grown to be able to present three young students with a $500 - $1,000 scholarship. He is also a member of the Masonic “Keystone” Lodge #15.
Servant Rayford is a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather, and a devoted husband to our beautiful First Lady Sister Ruby Rayford.
Servant Rayford has fully committed his heart and life to Jesus Christ. As God leads him, he is determined to be an awesome display of what God can do through consistent commitment, courage and a life of continuous prayer.
Our First Lady
Ruby Robinson-Rayford was born and raised in a rural town in MO. She is a wife, mother, and a First Lady alongside her husband Rev. Servant George Rayford.
Since a young age, Ruby always had a passion for God and knew she wanted to serve His Kingdom. Unfortunately, as a young child she did not have the opportunity to attend church regularly. This is due to no churches being near her home.
Ruby was grateful when her family moved to Hayti, MO. There, she befriended a local girl around her age and started attending church with her and her family. Ruby knew there was a calling on her life and the spirit of the Lord was within her. She has been serving the Lord ever since.
As a young adult, Ruby moved to Milwaukee, WI. but eventually moved back to Hayti, MO. She got married and moved to Aurora, IL. She really enjoyed helping people and wanted to give them a voice. Upon moving to IL. she began working at the Illinois Department of Employment Security, where she worked for 41 years. While working for the State of Illinois Ruby served as the local union president of American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which afforded her the opportunity to continue serving people.
Ruby also served as an usher for several years at Progressive Baptist Church under the late Rev. Dr. Robert Wesby.
During her tenure as an usher at Progressive Baptist Church, Ruby also served as auditor for the
Unit Church Ushers League of IL. Ruby and her husband John Robinson Sr. had 2 children, John Jr., and Amber. She is a very loving mother who dotes on her children and grandchildren every chance she gets.
Ruby lost her husband John to cancer. She found love again and married Rev. Servant George Rayford. Rev. Servant Rayford is the pastor of New Community Baptist Church (NCBC) Aurora, IL., making Ruby the First Lady. Ruby takes all her roles seriously as she knows that she is working for the Lord. She enjoys serving the people of NCBC and her community.
Ruby is an inspiration to all who know and love her.