CMI Establishmentarian - Bishop RAyford A. Chimney, TH.D.

Chief Apostle Rayford A. Chimney, Th.D. was born on the 15th of December 1943 to the late Lonnie B. Chimney and Ruth Williams-Chimney in Nacogdoches County.  He was a graduate of Concord High School of Mt. Enterprise, Texas and an alumnus of Stephen F. Austin State University of Nacogdoches, Texas where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1968, a master’s degree in Education in 1974, and a certification in Mid-management Administration in 1975. Between his scholastic achievements at Stephen F. Austin State University, Bishop Chimney also served in the armed forces from 1968 to 1970 earning an honorable discharge from the Army after a tour in Vietnam.  He began his career as an educator teaching science then found a passion teaching agriculture for fourteen years, and later retired in 2000 as a Principal for Jasper Independent School District, totaling over 30 years in his prestigious career.  

God called Bishop Rayford A. Chimney into his spiritual career as a minister in 1974 and was ordained in 1978.  He took advantage of spreading the gospel at every opportunity God presented.  In 1976, he humbly accepted his first appointment as pastor and began the work of a shepherd guiding many to the throne of grace while fathering many upcoming ministers and pastors into ministry.  Supported by a loving wife, Dr. Ruby N. Chimney and their children.

Bishop Chimney pastored throughout the earlier years in ministry in several locations. In 1984 he was appointed to pastor Livingston Church of God in Christ in Livingston, Texas which became his longest tenure of 30 years.  It is here in Livingston that God would take him to new heights and deeper depths. Under the Texas South Central Jurisdiction, he served as Superintendent of the All-Saints Evangelistic District for many years until God set forth a vision for a spiritual non-denominational organization that would embrace all God’s Kingdom without disparity or prejudice.  In 2012, this vision would become Chimson Ministries, co-founded by Bishop Chimney and Dr. Ruby Chimney, Th.D.  It was their utmost desire to fulfill the mandate that God had set before them and to continue to build the Kingdom of God.

Bishop Chimney is survived by his wife, Dr. Ruby Chimney; eight children: Pastor Johnny Johnson (Joyce), Apostle Kimberly Washington (Bishop Brian), Minister Patrick Johnson, Felice Chimney, Bishop Robert Johnson (Artresa), Rad Chimney, Bishop Arlandus Chimney (Dr. Veronica), Denise Embers; thirty-one grandchildren; thirty  great grand-children; his baby sister, Pastor Janice Chimney; God-daughter, Jenehah Adams (Al), special son and friend, Pastor Ray C. Lewis (Janett), special daughter, Opal J. Cauley and special friend, Mr. Leon Cauley; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Chief Apostle Rayford Chimney leaves a rich legacy of Ministers, Elders, Pastors, and Bishops who are continuing the work of the Kingdom. He often stated that his greatest desire was to be an obedient vessel unto God, to gain eternal life in Heaven, and to always bless God as well as be a blessing to others.