TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

God Called; She Answered

ADVERTISEMENT

By DEREK MAUL, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 29, 2007

EDITOR'S NOTE: This an occasional series spotlighting local clergy members. This week's column features the Rev. Hellen Raburn, pastor of First Assembly of God of Sydney, 14095

Sydney Road, Dover. Services times include Sunday school, 10 a.m.; Sunday worship, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and prayer meeting, 7 p.m. Wednesday.

DOVER - It's been 68 years since Hellen Raburn heard God call her name in a field off Sam Allen Road.

"I was hoeing in the field and a voice called me three times," Raburn remembered. "I said, 'What you want?'"

"He said, 'You're going to preach my gospel.'"

Q. How did you respond to God's call as a 13-year-old girl?

A. I had to quit school in eighth grade when my mother turned sickly - I was the oldest of seven. But my family was behind me and the young people were all with me, so I went to Bible school when I was 18. It was the last year Southeastern in Lakeland allowed people who had not graduated high school.

Q. Are you originally from Plant City?

A. Born right over on Sam Allen in 1926. I'm 81 and I feel good. My daddy was a farmer and a part-time preacher. Mount Zion Assembly started in my grandmother's yard. I have a missionary heart.

Q. How do you respond when people say women shouldn't preach?

A. I didn't want to be a preacher. My dad was a preacher and I knew it was rough, but when you get the call you've got to obey. Man didn't call me, the Lord did. If men had fulfilled the call to preach the gospel like they should have then, maybe we women wouldn't have to.

Q. How long have you been at First Assembly of God of Sydney?

A. ... I came July of '89.

Q. Where did you go after Bible school?

A. I've been a home missionary. First I went with my dad to preach revivals in Georgia, when the crops were low and it wasn't too busy.

We built a church in Pelham, Ga. Then on down to Pine Hill - what they called "the last church in Georgia." It had been closed five years so we opened it back up. Then I went over near Savannah to a church with two or three members and we got that church back on its feet.

Q. When did you return to Florida?

A. In the '50s. That's when I came to help with Camp Alafia near Mulberry and take care of my mother again. Then I went into Tampa as associate pastor at Glad Tidings Assembly. I was called out here in 1988.

Q. Why Plant City?

A. I really didn't want to come. Everyone knows who you are and there's family. But I just did what God wanted me to do.

Q. How's it going?

A. The church was having a difficult time and was fixing to close. We built it up. My co-worker Rose Huey did the music and I did the preaching. Rose died around six years ago. The first Sunday we had five. Now we average around 50.

Q. Describe this church.

A. So many people have been hurt, and I felt like God wanted this place to be a help to those rebuilding their faith. You'd be surprised how many people have been hurt and just want someone to love them and give them a second chance.

Q. When will you retire?

A. I'll preach so long as I'm healthy and I have my right mind and I feel the tug. I'll retire when God tells me.

Q. What Scriptures guide you?

A. Ecclesiastes 9:10, 'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.' Then Colossians 3:23: 'And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.'

Q. Do you have a favorite hymn?

A. 'Jesus Loves Me.' That's my tops.

Q. Who's your Bible hero?

A. David, even though he did some things that weren't right.

Q. What's the big challenge?

A. To watch our spiritual level and not compromise what the Bible lays out. Then we need a real hunger among the churches to witness to the newcomers. The Lord is going to come and I'm going to do all I can to get as many ready as I can.

Q. What do you do for fun?

A. I'm here most of the time. I play miniature golf; I like to go to different sights; go fishing with my brother.

Q. How would you invite readers to church?

A. Come because the presence of God is here, and God will meet your need if you'll just open up to him. He just wants for you to let him bless you.

Is there someone you would like profiled? Call Derek Maul at (813) 245-2304 or e-mail him at derekmaul @gmail.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT