Head-Deacon Ray Hammond

Our Staff

Head Deacon Ray Hammond

Head Deacon • Servant Leader • Steward • Compassionate Servant

ABOUT HEAD DEACON RAY

I serve as Head Deacon of Unity House of Prayer, helping support the ministry and the practical needs of the church.

I believe serving God includes being dependable with the responsibilities entrusted to us and being willing to help wherever there is a need.

STEWARDSHIP AND SERVICE

Stewardship is an important part of leadership. Everything placed into our hands—our time, abilities, responsibilities, and resources—should be handled with care and integrity.

As Head Deacon, I desire to serve in a way that supports the pastor, leadership, congregation, and overall ministry of the church.

A SERVANT’S HEART

Compassion and a willingness to receive direction are essential qualities of Christian leadership.

My goal is not simply to hold the position of Head Deacon, but to demonstrate through service that leadership in God’s house begins with a servant’s heart.

Exalt the Savior • Equip the Saint • Evangelize the Sinner”

Unity House of Prayer in Kenya

Taking the Gospel Beyond the Walls

At Unity House of Prayer, we believe ministry does not stop at the doors of the church. Through Pastor Wayne Wickware, Senior Pastor of Unity House of Prayer and Managing Director of Berean Prison Ministries Kenya, our church has been blessed to participate in a growing ministry of evangelism, discipleship, biblical education, leadership development, and restoration throughout Kenya.

For many years, Pastor Wayne has traveled to Kenya to serve alongside Berean Prison Ministries Kenya, carrying the love of Jesus Christ into prisons, churches, communities, schools, and homes.

Ministry Behind Prison Walls

One of the primary focuses of the Kenya mission is reaching incarcerated men and women with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Through Berean Prison Ministries Kenya, inmates are given opportunities to participate in structured Bible classes, discipleship programs, evangelistic services, and spiritual-development courses designed to help them grow in their relationship with Christ.

The ministry has served in correctional institutions including:

Eldoret Men’s Prison
Eldoret Women’s Prison
Kisumu Men’s Prison
Kisumu Women’s Prison
Kitale Maximum Prison
Kitale Medium Prison
Ngeria Farm Prison

The message we carry is simple:

Your present condition does not have to determine your final destination. Jesus Christ still saves, restores, transforms, and gives purpose.

From Students to Graduates

The ministry is not simply about conducting a church service and leaving. Our desire is to build disciples.

Men and women participate in Bible instruction over an extended period of time, complete their coursework, and are recognized through graduation ceremonies held inside the prisons.

During the 2026 Kenya mission, 254 students graduated from Berean Prison Ministries Bible programs, and approximately 500 additional students and officers entered classes.

More importantly than certificates or numbers, we celebrate changed lives.

Through preaching, teaching, personal ministry, and discipleship, more than 250 people made decisions for Christ during the 2026 mission season.

Equipping Leaders

Strong ministry requires strong leadership.

Pastor Wayne works alongside Pastor Cleophas Kemboi, Director of Berean Prison Ministries Kenya, ministry workers, regional leaders, pastors, chaplains, and volunteers who continue the work throughout the year.

Leadership seminars are conducted to encourage and equip those serving on the front lines of ministry.

Our goal is not simply to conduct ministry for Kenya, but to strengthen, encourage, and work alongside Kenyan leaders who are faithfully serving their own communities.

Ministry Beyond the Prisons

The mission extends beyond prison walls.

While in Kenya, Pastor Wayne also ministers in local churches, schools, homes, leadership gatherings, and community settings.

The ministry includes:

Preaching the Gospel — Sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Education — Providing structured Bible instruction and discipleship.

Prison Ministry — Reaching incarcerated men and women with hope, restoration, and the Word of God.

Leadership Development — Training and encouraging pastors, ministry workers, and Christian leaders.

Church Ministry — Preaching and teaching in congregations throughout Kenya.

Community Outreach — Visiting families, homes, schools, and communities with encouragement and practical ministry.

Unity House of Prayer — A Local Church With a Global Mission

Unity House of Prayer is located in Peoria, Illinois, but God has given us a vision that reaches beyond our city, our state, and our nation.

Every time Pastor Wayne enters a prison in Kenya, stands before a congregation, teaches a Bible class, participates in a graduation, encourages a ministry worker, or prays with someone seeking Christ, he goes as a representative of Unity House of Prayer.

This is part of who we are.

Our mission remains:

Exalt the Savior

Equip the Saints

Evangelize the Sinner

Whether that happens in Peoria, Illinois, or inside a prison in Kenya, the mission remains the same.

Why Kenya Matters to Us

Behind every prison number is a person.

Behind every student is a story.

Behind every graduation certificate is someone who made the decision to study the Word of God.

Behind every salvation is a life that matters to God.

We believe no person is beyond the reach of grace, no prison wall can stop the Gospel, and no life is too broken for Jesus Christ to restore.

That is why we go.

That is why we teach.

That is why we serve.

And that is why Unity House of Prayer continues to stand with Berean Prison Ministries Kenya.

Partner With the Mission

Unity House of Prayer

Senior Pastor Wayne Wickware
Managing Director — Berean Prison Ministries Kenya

Peoria, Illinois • Serving Kenya • Reaching Lives for Christ

Address

815 NE Perry Ave.

Peoria Il 61603

Contact us

Uniyhouseofprayer@@gmail.com

(309)339-9425

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