Pastor Otis C. Raines was born on December 22, 1952, to the Late Andrew and Doris Raines in Upson County, Georgia. He has been married to his wife Carolyn Richardson Raines for 48 years, and they have two loving and devoted children Leonard Richardson, Sr., and Latisha Coleman and their spouses, daughter-in-law Tara Richardson and son-in law Cedric Coleman. Finally, Pastor Raines is a proud grandfather of three: Leonard Richardson Jr., Devonte’ Richardson, Jayda Coleman, and the newest additions to the family, Raines’ great-grandson Titan Richardson and Roman Richardson.

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Pastor Raines accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior when he was twelve years old at the Salem Baptist Church in Upson County. He graduated from Crawford County Training School (CCTS) in Roberta, Georgia in 1970. He relocated to Sanford, Florida, where he joined the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the Late Pastor Enoch Rivers. He served on the Usher Board and was ordained as Deacon October 10, 1989. In September 1994, Pastor Raines accepted his call to the ministry and was licensed by Pastor Enoch Rivers of the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church, Sanford, Florida. On July 31, 1995, he was ordained at Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church, by Pastor Rivers and the New Central Ministers, Deacons and Layman’s Congress on July 31, 1995.   During this time, he served as a youth advisor and district missionary for New Central.  He served as the youth minister and Sunday school teacher at Springfield Missionary Baptist Church.  He served as the Interim Pastor for St. Mary  Missionary Baptist Church in Taft, Florida, from June 1999 until March 2000.

 

He was called to Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, Inc., on June 13, 2000, and was installed as Pastor on July 9, 2000, and is still serving there. After his installation at CFBC, he became the second Vice-Moderator of the New Central Missionary and Educational Baptist Association of Florida and the director of the New Central  Ministers, Deacons and Layman’s Congress. In October of 2011, Pastor Raines was nominated for the CTA Pastor of the Year “Servant Heart Award”, for his selfless love and service that Christ modeled, which he has lived out in response to all God has done for us. He became the Interim Moderator of the New Central Florida Missionary Baptist Association of Florida, Inc. and the director of the New Central Ministers, Deacons and Layman’s Congress, serving in the roles from January 5, 2011, until April 24, 2012. On April 25, 2012, he officially was elected as the Moderator of the New Central Florida Missionary Baptist Association of Florida, Inc., and on March 24, 2017, he was appointed Chairman of Moderator’s Council of Progressive Missionary & Educational Baptist State Convention of Florida Inc., by President Bartholomew Banks. His ministerial education includes studies and graduation from International Seminary in Plymouth, Florida, and he is presently enrolled in The Florida Theological Seminary and Bible College, Lakeland, FL. 

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Pastor Otis C. Raines has dedicated his life to serving the Lord and he believes as servant-leaders, we should lead by example and that the measure of a man is not determined by what he owns, but by his character. He has devoted his life to the teaching and preaching the Word of God and sharing the Love of Christ with mankind.  His commitment has resulted in numerous awards and recognition from community and professional organizations and causes.