CHP leader Ron Gray (left) with his successor, Jim Hnatiuk.

Gray retired from the CHP leadership at its November convention. He has been succeeded by Jim Hnatiuk, from Halifax.

But retirement might not mean Gray and his wife Janet are getting into full blown leisure mode just yet.

He let it slip that his extensive communication background actually meant the party, all these years, has been getting “two for one” – a leader and communication director. If Hnatiuk needs him, he will try to provide a little media relations help.

In his early years, Gray did journalism with The Vancouver Sun and Chilliwack Progress.

On the media relations side, he worked at various times for Fraser Valley College (FVC), Trinity Western University and the CBC.

It was during his time at FVC that he thought he had everything. But he began to lose it – and ended up finding Christ.

He and his first wife had seven kids and a 10 acre farm. “Outside I was extremely successful. Then my wife decided to leave, and things fell apart,” he recalls. That was 1977.

FVC psychologist Terry Anderson talked to him one day about his own life’s ups and downs, and his faith in Jesus Christ.

They talked until 2 am, and Gray gave his life to that same Christ. They celebrated with an instant communion service, with some wine Ron had on hand and some bread baked up earlier in the evening by Terry’s wife.

Ron met Janet, and married her in 1985.

In 1988, Gray ran for the Christian Heritage Party. Interest in the party grew, and he became leader in 1995. It was a hard time to try building a Christian party because many Christians with a bent for politics were flocking to Preston Manning’s Reform.

Gray has always recognized Christian influence in other parties; but he has maintained that none of them are truly Christian parties.

And he has been quick to point out, as well, that under Stephen Harper, the Conservatives have “broken 55 promises.”

Before Gray was leader, and before Reform started to grow, CHP had 18,000 members. It had dropped to 2,700 by the time he took over. It has since regrown, to 6,500.

Continue article >>

Previous article Intervening in Congo crisis	Next article A personal view of Chilliwack’s new mayor
Page 8	Page 9

Gray has been growing tired the last few years. While his health is good, “It used to be that I could take a three week speaking trip. Now, I am tired after three days!”

But it has been a good experience. One highlight was living in Quebec, just across the river from Ottawa.

The Grays’ intention was to immerse themselves in French culture. It worked pretty well, and he says his French improved enough that he could deliver speeches in the language.

As they wind down from the leadership task, Gray and his wife look to enjoy church fellowship. Through the years, they have worshiped in Alliance, Mennonite, Pentecostal and charismatic churches.

Now, they attend a Saturday-worshipping Torah Fellowship in the Fraser Valley, which teaches that messianic believers are “grafted into the . . . covenant of Israel.”

They enjoyed a trip to Israel a couple of years ago, looking at the land and scripture from a Torah perspective.

But his life is not all ancient history. For a senior, Gray keeps up computer-wise. In recognition of that, the party presented him a MacBook Pro as a parting gift.

Just a gentle hint, he figures, not to lose his communication interests.

– Lloyd Mackey

December 2008