Honoring the Life & Legacy of Ray Berryman
Introducing the Ray Berryman Memorial Fund
Dear e3 Family,
On Christmas Day, e3 lost one of its early champions, as the Lord called one of his mighty men home. Ray Berryman was a long-time board member, a tireless supporter of the ministry, and the father of our own Daniel Berryman, an e3 Strategy Coordinator in Burundi. With the news of his passing came numerous texts, emails, and phone calls from across the organization and beyond describing how much Ray and his wife, Mary, have impacted their lives and personal ministries.
I don’t think Ray would have objected to me telling you that he and Mary have been generous supporters of the ministry for many years. Sometimes for people with busy lives and demanding business obligations, it is simply easier just to write a check. And Ray did that. Often. But Ray never stopped at simply writing a check. He went beyond the old adage of “putting your money where your mouth is.” He doubled down with his mind, his heart, his time, and his energy. Not only did he serve as a faithful board member for many years, but he was willing to pitch in and get his hands dirty—literally. As a leader, he wasn’t satisfied with just talking about missions or providing oversight for the work of others. He traveled the world sharing the Gospel with those who had never heard, encouraging hard-pressed pastors and church planters in far-flung places, and providing comfort and relief for the downtrodden and the broken-hearted.
I had the privilege of representing so many of you who knew Ray at his Celebration of Life service in Flagstaff, Arizona. Before I left Dallas, I had someone go back as far as possible and look up the number of e3 mission trips that Ray and Mary have taken over the years. The list I received contained a total of 25 trips over a 6-year period. During that time Ray ministered alongside many of you, our fellow mission trip participants, in 9 countries on 3 different continents—Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Bolivia, India, and Turkey. More impressive still is the combined impact of all of those trips—45,143 professions of faith and 223 new churches. And that was just his involvement with e3. When I shared these numbers with Mary, she told me that during one of those 6 years they had actually gone on 23 mission trips with 3 different ministries!
Some of you who knew Ray personally have asked if we could set up a memorial fund to honor his impact upon e3 and the broader Kingdom as a whole. After receiving Mary’s encouragement and blessing to do so, we have now established the Ray Berryman Memorial Fund. Any funds received will be transferred to a Board-designated reserve account to help ensure the long-term financial health and viability of the ministry for years to come.
Scripture tells us in Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” So, even though Ray’s presence and influence will be missed, let us honor the legacy of a life well-lived and rejoice in the knowledge that Ray is even now receiving the reward for which he, and we, have so eagerly awaited. Should you wish to add to Ray’s continuing legacy and impact, please consider making on online donation here:
https://www.purecharity.com/fundraisers/78045/fund
Alternatively, donations made via check can be sent to e3 Partners Ministry at 2001 W Plano Parkway #2600 Plano, Texas 75075. Please include the designation, “The Ray Berryman Memorial Fund.”
Thank you and please keep Mary and the family in your prayers as they navigate this difficult season.
Sincerely,
Jim Shannon
Chief Executive Officer
e3 Partners Ministry