BIO of MICHAEL F. RAY "MIPEACE"

Michael F. Ray aka Mipeace was born in the small, but significant town of Fort Valley, Georgia.  While growing up, he experienced very good times as well as some bad/sinful times.  As a little boy, Mipeace occasionally attended Sunday School/church and read his bible, but, he didn’t become a disciple of Christ until later in his life. 

While being raised by his loving mother in a single parent home (with his loving father not too far away), he and his brother listened to the music of the hip hop culture as it developed into what can now be heard on the radio and in the underground.  But, Mipeace’s love for music did not start or stop with hip-hop.  He learned at an early age to appreciate rock, R&B, classical, and many other genres of music.  His admiration for music grew after he started playing the trumpet and joined his middle school and high school marching, jazz and concert bands.  He eventually went on to become his high school’s drum major and field commander.  At the age of 13, during a dare contest with one of his friends, Mipeace wrote his first rap.  For the next few years, he did occasional writings that were based on his many sinful and rebellious activities as a teenager.  Some of his friends/classmates could often observe him “freestyling”.  He didn’t consider recording albums until he began his last semester as a senior in high school. 

After graduating from high school he entered Florida A&M University to study electrical engineering.  In the midst of pursuing a higher education, Mipeace continued rapping and also indulging in an iniquitous way of life.  Mipeace observed some friends and acquaintances die and suffer badly because of this sinful lifestyle that included drugs, crime, sexual immorality, etc.  During his third year at FAMU, he and one of his college buddies, formed a hip hop group called DeMusic.  But, after several years of dealing with the rugged trials of life, Mipeace found himself searching for the type of love, direction, and peace that he could not find in the way he was living. Then, in one moment, his life took an eternal twist…. on Thanksgiving Day 2000, during a "God-centered" conversation with his cousin, Mipeace answered the call of God, which included believing in/confessing/following Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and turning away from sin and back to God!

In light of his salvation and the society’s opinions on rap music, Mipeace became confused about whether or not he should discard the skill of emceeing that was given to him.  So, he consulted God and finally accepted his commission into the ministry which would involve (but not be limited to) preaching Christ through hip hop and other forms of music.  Shortly following the acceptance of the commission that God had given him, Mipeace and one his friends (an anointed man of God; the late Dion "Paradigm" Wilson; R.I.C. Rest in Christ) formed a hip hop duo by the name of First Born.  For the next few years, while producing and recording songs, he began to minister with the group and also as a solo artist.  He went on to graduate from FAMU with his B.S. degree in industrial engineering.  The venues in which he has appeared include:  local churches, Florida A&M University, Florida State University, Fort Valley Middle School, Tallahassee Civic Center, the first annual Gospel Apollo (held at Florida A&M's Lee Hall Auditorium), House of Judah Ministries, United Christian Artists, and many more (for a list of past (since 2006) and upcoming appearances see the 'Schedule' page).  He has also written, and produced, two songs that he ministered while acting in a play.   

 Mipeace understands that God desires that His people do good to please Him and not ourselves.  Also, Michael has come to know that God has saved him to give him eternal life (to know Jesus and our heavenly Father who sent Him), but also so that he can help others to come to Christ and to give all the glory to God.  Therefore, he prays that God’s will is done through his albums/projects and his life as a whole. When God’s will is done, people are saved, healed, delivered, loved, etc.  So, as the Lord uses Mipeace as His instrument/vessel, we invite you to listen and be blessed by God!!!   Feel free to check back with us often (join our newsletter list on the homepage) and if you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please do the following:  Seriously ask Him to forgive you of your sins and turn away from them, confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9), and receive the Holy Spirit....who is our Helper, the Spirit of God living in us, and He is the guarantee of our inheritance and our inheritance includes (but is not limited to):  everlasting life in heaven (the new earth and new Jerusalem - Revelation 21); being joint-heirs with Christ to God; the Kingdom of God (Matthew 25:31-46) as well as all things created (Acts 8:14-17, Romans 8:12-17, Ephesians 1:13-14, Revelation 21:7).  From that point, continue to follow Him, learn from Him, get into a community of disciples of Christ, and spread His love to all!  Just like you, Michael still has struggles and weaknesses, but through Jesus, all of God's people will have peace (John 14:27), love, joy, strength, victory, etc. that no thing, no one or no situation can take away!  My peace (our peace) is given to us from our heavenly Father in the name of His only begotten Son, Jesus!  To God be the glory!!!  1 love in Christ...