About

Biography

My name is Bishop Ray Rogers, I am a life-long resident of Rainier Valley, born and raised just blocks away from Franklin High School, and I’ve been representing the district for 55 years. But like many of my Seattle neighbors, I consider all of Seattle my home, with lifelong friendships, partnerships, and relationships that span the entire city.

As a teenager in the 1980s, the Mount Baker area of South Seattle was a hotspot for Seattle’s crack and gang violence epidemic. And I was rescued from addiction, prison, and possibly even death by Officer Harry Bailey, who would not let the streets take me. Instead, he chose to become a friend and mentor to me. Officer Bailey taught me the meaning of true and genuine brotherhood, loyalty, and responsibility. Each day I try to honor his belief in me, by supporting his vision of public safety, community care, and responsive and responsible leadership.

For over a decade, I have led Circle of Love Outreach. Under our big umbrella, we provide safe street resources to help victims of domestic abuse, sex trafficking, and addiction. As well as providing mentoring programs focusing on gang intervention and mental health resources throughout the city.

Additionally, I am an ordained minister, serving as the Presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Pentecostal Assemblies in King County, where I oversee a team of ministers and program Personnel, who provide resources for immigrant communities, seniors, and special needs neighbors.

It’s my leadership roles at Circle of Love Outreach and the ministry that give me a unique and needed perspective when it comes to tackling Seattle’s problems with compassion, in addition to competent and qualified leadership.

From feeding the homeless in downtown Seattle, to leading peace-marches in the Central District and Rainier Valley, I have an established presence in Seattle’s underserved areas, with enduring roots and relationships built over a lifetime. But my friendships have never been limited by geographic location, as some of my closest relationships were born decades ago, established during my teen years at Ingraham High School in north Seattle, or while visiting members of my 80s break-dance group in Green Lake, Ballard, West Seattle, and other areas throughout Seattle. I truly believe that we are one-Seattle, and that we rise or fall together.