By Andrea Arens
The sign out in front of First Baptist of Manteno literally reads, “Come Meet Pastor Roy,” and that’s exactly what Pastor Roy Worley would like.
Pastor Roy Worley has been told he had a voice for radio, literally. In fact, that was his first career intention, till he felt a Divine calling after a constant yearning to go to church and surrendered to God at the ripe age of 19. He likened his four-weeks-in-a- row attendance at church to a conversion experience. He got the sense God wanted him to do more than study radio, film, and TV.
He initially ran from his calling because he was scared, but he knows the exact date he couldn’t go to class. He ran to the library and prayed and felt like God told him, and he surrendered. Worley choked up a bit as he told the story. He said his father said to him, “I knew God was calling, because I gave him to you for that purpose.” His father prayed over him, and he’s been a Pastor ever since age 20.
Worley is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. And although you can hear the southern charm resonating in his voice, he has lived in Illinois for 27 years. He’s also fluent in Spanish, after feeling called to serve as a missionary with his wife and his young daughters in South America for seven years.
Worley now has three grown daughters and seven grandchildren, all local, and has been married to his wife, Rebecca, for 47 years. Worley and Rebecca reside in New Lenox.
That resonating voice has lured audiences from more than church pews, though.
About 12 years ago, Worley stepped back from full time preaching and was looking for a way to “put food on the table,” so to speak. He started exploring voice over recording and audio books. Since his first foray into voice recording with a company called “Book Buddies,” in which he did voice recording for children’s books, he has since recorded 270 audiobooks.
Worley has an agent in Chicago, and some of his biggest spots have been in television and radio for Illinois University Health. His biggest client to date is Franciscan Alliance Hospitals and Clinics, where you can call the office and hear his voice. He’s also recorded training videos and e-learning.
Worley auditions regularly for national ads but hasn’t quite landed that gig. Worley has been told he sounds his age and plans to continue as long as his voice continues, although he believes it’s winding down.
But don’t expect him to be bored; he flips furniture, as well, and will sell his pieces.
Worley is excited to see growth in the church. After a quick tour, it’s clear they’re prepared for the growth, as the building is significantly larger than it looks.
Worley believes himself to be a relational person, an outgoing guy, who likes to meet with people. He would love the community to know that “if they’re searching for the truth, we offer the truth through the Bible.”
Worley believes God has wired him to do storytelling through preaching. He said, “I get the sense of the Scripture, but there’s always illustrations. I’ve discovered people will remember the story or the illustrations that tie them back to the Scripture.”
Worley and Rebecca have been meeting with churchgoers Thursday mornings for conversations and coffee. Worley brings his down-to-earth style to church, as well, because he believes it will reach a larger population when it doesn’t look like a tea room complete with doilies and plastic flowers.
Worley also believes in reaching men. They’re hosting a men’s only 18 and older, axe throwing and chili cook-off, along with a Gospel message on October 19. He wants men to know they can have a good time with Jesus.
Services are on Sundays at 10:15 a.m., with Bible Study at 9 a.m., and a Young Adult Bible Study in the next coming weeks.