"I kind of picture myself as being a temporary filling before the real thing is in place," Pastor Ray Shepard said jokingly while explaining his new job as interim pastor at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 1800 12th St. SW in Austin.

In 1995, Shepard and his wife, JeanMarie, retired and bought a house in Early, Iowa.

"It seemed like they kept asking me to come and preach or fill in for a little while," he said. "This is my fourth church as interim pastor. Of the seven years, we have only been home for 10 months. We were on assignment the other months."

Originally from Idaho, Shepard grew up about 100 miles north of Boise. He joined the U.S. Navy in hopes of getting his choice assignment to Europe.

He did not get his wish. Instead, the aircraft carrier he was assigned to for more than six years made three trips to Antarctica.

He admitted that his dearest prayer was answered, though.

"I prayed for a wife, and six months later I met JeanMarie," he said. That was 41 years ago.

After his tours in the Navy, Shepard went to Berrington College in Rhode Island and Gordon College in Massachusetts. While going to college, he held two student pastorates, one in East Greenwich and one in Warwick. He also worked as student pastor while studying at Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. It took him 10 years to finish.

The Shepards have lived and worked in Springfield, Ohio, Sac City, Iowa and Building, Mich. Ray even spent more than six months driving an 18-wheeler, but decided that was not a good job for a married man.

After that, he worked in IBP maintenance in Spencer, Iowa until retirement.

"My arrival in Austin was not a real big thing," Shepard said. "They had some absolutely important people already. They're serving the Lord, and I'm just another one coming along as part of the team."

The couple have been welcomed and received very warmly, he said. Shepard admits he never heard of Austin when he got the assignment from his boss, but thought it sounded like a nice place. He lauds the city for its clean and well-kept appearance and also for the new constructions and street work, which speaks for progress and growth.

Shepard said he likes Austin and its people and the people at Faith Evangelical have been very helpful from the beginning. They had their living quarters cleaned and ready for them, along with donated furniture and household goods for them to use while here. Even the cupboards were stocked with food.

Shepard expressed his contentment with a smile.

"To me, the ministry has been a piece of cake, and being interim pastor is the frosting on the cake," he said. "My favorite part of ministry is preaching God's word and teaching. I believe that is my specialty. And I love people. I believe we're on a trip to Heaven, so I think we ought to have some fun along the way."

Nini Johnson can be reached by e-mail at :mailto:newsroom@austindailyherald.com