ReferencesFrom Pastors:
“I had the privilege of praying for Butch before I had even met him. I was on an overseas mission assignment in Belize in 1989 and one of our staff pastors had just met Butch & Mary through home visitation and asked us to pray for them. There was this sense that the Marvins had some significant spiritual hunger. Since that time Butch and Mary made commitments to Christ and became involved immediately in neighborhood evangelism through attending and eventually starting home Bible studies. Butch was mentored by Melville Nafziger and through a process of growth in his faith journey he became one of our church planters in 1999. Since that time Butch has discovered one passion that exceeds his church and business leadership and that is sharing his faith (the message of HOPE) and encouraging others (HOPE dealers). Butch has been involved at The Church At Timberline for several years, where he and Mary serve in a variety of ways. One aspect of his ministry that has continued even after his 5-year church planting term came to an end is his love to preach. His background and dramatic conversion has given him a unique platform to connect with a wide variety of people. Preaching messages, Gospel messages in particular, is his passion and he preaches on occasion for us at Timberline.” --Marlin Nafziger Senior Pastor at the Church at Timberline. The Church At Timberline was planted in 2003 as a more seeker sensitive approach to ministry. We have a rural property that allows us to serve our community through offering affordable and transitional housing and a unique opportunity to minister to families that adopt. I meet with Butch periodically and I appreciate his fresh & honest insight into ministry, people and leadership. Butch has a love for Jesus and a heart for people "Butch Marvin’s preaching ministry has made a big impact at CrossWay Church, the Mennonite congregation I pastor in Ocean City, Maryland. His relevant, upbeat, evangelistic Bible teaching helped the church continue to look forward during some hard transitional times. His heart for Christ is quickly evident in his personal conversation as well as in his preaching. Butch’s ministry continues to boost our church as he’s one of our favorite guest preachers. Whether you’re looking for someone to fill the pulpit, lead evangelistic services, or just give your church a gospel booster shot, you can’t go wrong with Butch!" —Nathan Hyde Pastor at CrossWay Church, Ocean City, MD "I’m Chip Roper, Senior Pastor of Church in the Vineyard in West Grove, Pa, where I’ve served for the last 14 years. For the last 8 or so, I’ve known Butch as a fellow pastor, friend, and mentor. Butch has great passion for the cause of Christ, particularly the power of Jesus to change a life. He shares this as he shares his own story in his preaching and in his coaching. Butch also has the gift of encouragement—he has eyes to see what God is doing, even when it is hard for you to see. Finally, Butch is a great source of practical knowledge when it comes to leading people. God has gifted him with leadership and given him the kind of experience that births wisdom. It is a privilege for me to put in a good word for Butch!" —Chip Roper Senior Pastor of Church in the Vineyard, West Grove, PA. "The Apostle Paul writes in Eph. 4:11, 12-- 'It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service....' Pastor Butch has the gift of the evangelist who communicates well the truth that all need the saving grace of a loving Lord. As the pastor of Andrews Bridge Christian Fellowship I have observed Pastor Marvin as he opens the truth of Scripture. I gladly recommend his ministry to God's people." —Vernon Myers Pastor of Andrews Bridge Christian Fellowship, Christiana, PA "Butch is a man who is highly gifted in the areas of evangelism and leadership training. He is a passionate speaker who can clearly and effectively communicate the Gospel in a culturally relevant way. His bold and Spirit led approach to ministry produces heart responses by his listeners bringing unbelievers into the Kingdom and believers closer to God. As a former church planter and pastor, he understands the needs that congregations have to be encouraged, motivated, and equipped to be active in sharing their faith." —Enno Jurisson Former Pastor of multiple churches ranging in size from 75 to 300. Current overseer for a church of 150. "A 'David and Jonathan' type of relation is what we consider we have with Ray Butch Marvin and his humble and loving wife Mary. Having known Ray Butch for a number of years we know him as a man of strategy, vision, great ideas and deep commitment to his calling. In our missionary journeys with Marvin to Africa and India we have seen the spirit of God manifest and inspire thousands through Marvin. We have noticed and know his zeal, compassion, and love for the lost, and his earnest desire to see people come to Christ. Simply stated : Marvin’s greatest joy is to see people come to Christ. A good mentor is he, a cheerful giver and a great investor in the Kingdom of God. A good and earnest teacher of the Word, a talented speaker, a trainer of leaders, an inspirer and motivator; and a light in the midst of a dark and confused world. He is a man of God. We simply love being with him and his wife. We sincerely and strongly recommend him to all audiences." —Rev. Dr. O. M. Panicker & Mrs. Mercy Panicker Founders and directors of InterContinental Christian Ministries (I.C.C.M.) I.C.C.M. is a missionary organization to India and Africa. I.C.C.M. hosts pastors conferences, revival and open-air evangelistic crusades, free medical camps in the deep villages of Africa and India; has a medical facility in Kenya; trains missionaries for the mission field; and is involved in church planting and giving aid in times of natural disasters and human tragedies. We were involved in helping out with the tsunami victims in Sri Lanka, India, and the Andaman Islands; and in aiding (we still continue to give aid) the victims of the post election violence in Kenya which left over 450,000 people homeless, and about 3000(unofficial figures) killed. Our U.S.A. contact : P.O. Box 424, Quarryville, PA 17566. Telephone : 717-786-3788 E-mail : omp_iccm@yahoo.com From Parachurch Ministries: "I have been involved in prison ministry for nearly 14 years and have seen a number of 'outside' speakers come to our regular services at Chester County Prison to share their insights. Ray “Butch” Marvin has set fire to the men in that prison as few others have managed to do. He possesses the unusual combination of knowing the Gospel and knowing how to deliver the message. His passion for God’s Word and men’s souls is obvious to the incarcerated and to those of us in prison ministry." —Dan Turley Prison Fellowship, Chester County Prison, PA From Church Leaders: "I am an elder at Shiloh Community Fellowship in Quarryville, PA. My son, Brett, is the pastor. Butch Marvin has preached at our church on numerous occasions. I also have had the privilege of hearing Butch speak at several banquets. What I love about Butch is his passion for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in speaking and preaching. Butch’s heart for ministry is evident in the life he lives. It is a true blessing to know him as preacher and friend." —John Rush New Providence, PA "I have known Butch Marvin for most of the years that he has been a Christian. I have been privileged to have worked with him on a leadership board while he was a pastor at Andrews Bridge Christian Fellowship. I was an Elder at Bart Mennonite at the time and Bart was the church that planted ABCF where Butch took on the leadership role. Since that time I have been involved with The Church at Timberline where Butch regularly attends. I have seen his heart for the lost and am pleased that he is beginning this ministry of being a “Hope Dealer”. I believe Butch has a deep love for Jesus and a passion for reaching the lost of this world." —Loren Beiler Strasburg, PA Others: "Ray “Butch” Marvin is always straightforward. He speaks with authority and passion, while at the same time skillfully tempering his message with compassion and tenderness. This combination of directness with a heart for people make Butch an excellent leader, speaker and encourager. His life experiences and eclectic involvements with different business, ministry and mission operations also enhance Butch’s qualifications to lead. Butch is well suited to come along side a wide variety of people and organizations to provide direction and hope." —Brian Waltman School teacher, ministry leader and currently building a men’s ministry in Lancaster County "Five or six years ago we both, separately, befriended a little old illiterate man named Lester, and at his death we were brought together and united in cause, three years later in a time of major crisis and pain you volunteered to help me, meeting almost every Saturday for a year and a half. Then a non believer, you helped heal my broken heart and humbly brought me to Christ. You invited me to go to do foreign missions work in India and I went, without a question. There I saw you teach to hundreds of Christian Pastors during the day and to help bring new believers to Christ at night. You even converted our one driver. On nights, after weeks of exhaustion, I was called to help you in doing “hands on healing” to hundreds of believers. I not only was permitted to see you help hundreds of Christians, but I was to see how homesick and in love being away from Mary and Josh. It was quite evident, and after 11 days I would have paid the extra money for an early departure......for both of us, but we fulfilled our commitment. We were so blessed to be safe in a dangerous dark part of the world trying to bring strangers to Christ. You helped me develop so many wonderful relationships in India." —George Parry Retired business man and now brother in Christ |