Stephen Curtis Ray
From Martial Arts, Karate, Kungfu Dojo School Directory
S.C. Ray
STEPHEN C. RAY
Other names: Master S.C. Ray, Master Stephen Ray, Master Stephen C. Ray, Master Ray
Martial art practiced: Sun Do Sul (Branch of TKD and other styles), Dragon Kung fu, Tae Kwon Do
Teachers: Y.S. Rho (Missouri), Eric Hurst (Missouri), Y.S. Choi (Colorado)
Rank: 6th Dan Master Instructor
stlma.com
S.C. Ray is a martial arts instructor based out of the St. Louis suburb of Florissant, MO. He has owned several schools in the past, but at this moment only runs the one school in the city of Florissant.
Early Life
Master S.C. Ray started practicing martial arts at the age of 7. He studied Karate privately with one of the St. Louis Guardian Angels in downtown St. Louis, MO. He also studied Chinese Kung Fu privately as a child with a Chinese Kung Fu master whose name has not been remembered. Master Ray grew up in St. Louis City in a bad area. As a child, Master Ray had to defend himself from the inner city kids that were trouble makers. On becoming a teenager young Ray began to go the wrong direction and hung around people of negative influence. He began to smoke and use foul language and other things that he did not do before becoming a teen. For a short time he stopped his martial arts training and had no direction in life. After a couple years of rebellious living the young man found a new Kung Fu instructor by the name of Eric "The Dragon" Hurst. This helped him to regain his focus in his martial arts training.
Martial Arts Experience
Master S.C. Ray trained to receive his level 8 instructor's certification which in his instructor's system was said to have the equivalency to a 5th Degree Black Belt. Degrees are not normally used in the art of Kung Fu except to help the lay person to understand the equivalency compared to a belt ranking system. Master Ray has also received his 6th Degree (DAN)Black Belt in Sun Do Sool from Grandmaster Y.S. Choi of Colorado. Sun Do Sool was created by the legendary Grandmaster Choi back in the 80's. Sun Do sool is a branch style of Tae Kwon Do and other martial arts styles (Primarily TKD). Master Ray is the only certified master in the Midwest to teach and promote this style. Master Ray has also trained in many styles of martial arts in which he has not received any formal certification such as Hapkido, Kickboxing, Ninjitsu, Many weapons and others... In addition to Ray's certified martial arts rankings, he has invented his own grappling style, called Jiu-Kido. Another style of Jiu Kido was founder by another Martial Arts master and should not be confused. Master Ray has trained with several grapplers and through his own studies has founded a solid style and philosophy for Jiu-Kido.
== TESTIMONY ==
After young Ray went the wrong direction as a teenager the time came where his life had changed. Young Ray was brought up in a Lutheran home and was forced to go to church. He claims he did not learn much and fell asleep very often. His life became a mess and pretty much did everything wrong besides commit murder or do drugs. Many of his friends led him the wrong direction. At the age of 21 Mr. Ray was working and a lady came up to him and began to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with him. He was not interested because all he knew about was religion but she began to talk about a true relationship with Jesus Christ. Mr. Ray stopped working and began to listen to the lady and she ended up inviting him to church. He decided to accept her invitation and the next day went to Transformation Christian Church. Mr. Ray was the only white (Caucasian)man in the church. He says, "the Pastor spoke on Romans 10:9 that says if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead you shall be saved. And also, Ephesians 2:8-9 says that you are saved by grace through faith not of works lest any man should boast." Ray says everyone seemed to be so happy and he seemed to be so miserable. They were lifting their hands to God and singing joyful songs. The Pastor at the end of the service asked if anyone would like to pray to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to stand and come forward. Ray says that he was the first one to reach the alter. He knew he was not right with God and wanted to make sure that when he dies he makes it to heaven. About 15 to 20 others came forward as well. The Pastor prayed and had everyone repeat after them the sinner's prayer of salvation. Ray says that when he prayed that prayer to ask Jesus to come into his heart and forgive his sins, that he felt the tangible presence of God. Immediately the desires he had before to curse, smoke, fornicate and commit other sins was gone! He was a new person with a new mission. Ever since that day Master Ray has served God and has been persecuted for doing so. The bible says that ALL who follow Christ will suffer persecution. Master Ray quotes the bible, "to live is Christ, to die is gain". Master Ray has preached in many churches and has become a part of Pastor David Kumar's Orphan home in Kakinada India. Pastor Kumar has named the Orphan Home "Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Ray Orphan Home and has also appointed Master Ray to be the apostle over 10 churches in India which has received the name, "Stephen Ray Family Fellowship Church"
---CURRENT---
Now that Master Ray has been successful in his spiritual life, he has entered in to much spiritual warfare. Master Ray says, "The more you do for God, the more Satan tries to attack. I have been under many attacks of the enemy. Satan wants to stop what God is trying to accomplish through my life. Followers of darkness have slandered my name and have started many false rumors about me. I remember Jesus said that if anyone is persecuting me they are persecuting Him. Spiritual warfare is not fun but it is necessary for you to make a big impact in this world." Master Ray encourages you to ask him any questions you may have concerning these false accusations that you may hear or read and he will explain the truth if you have any concerns.
Master Ray's Accomplishments:
6th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do/Sun Do Sul (Through Grandmaster Y.S. Choi of Colorado)
5th Degree Black Belt in Kung Fu (Through Sifu Eric "The Dragon" Hurst"
Practitioner of:
Hapkido / Aikido
Jiu-jitsu / Judo
Ninjitsu / Many Weapons
Kickboxing / Boxing
and others...
1990 - Started Dragon Ray Martial Arts in Ellisville, MO.
1998 - Director of World Martial Arts Academy in South County St. Louis.
1999 - Owner of World Martial Arts Academy in Florissant, MO.
2000 - Owner of World Martial Arts Academy in Olivette, MO.
2003 - Started St. Louis Christian Martial Arts System.
2004 - Opened St. Louis Martial Arts Center in Florissant.
References:
Kukkiwon
Y.S. Choi of Colorado
Sifu Eric Hurst of Missouri
( stlouismartialartscenter.com )
http://youtube.com/watch
