by Robert Earl Houston
NEW ORLEANS – The Reverend John C. Raphael, Jr., pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at his home in Harvey, Louisiana. He died of cancer and was 60 years old.
Pastor Raphael was a former New Orleans police detective (14 years) who was called to the pulpit of New Hope in 1988 after the passing of Dr. Freddie H. Dunn. Like Dr. Dunn, Pastor Raphael was very involved in the work of Foreign Missions, and was appointed by Dr. E. Edward Jones, President of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. International as Executive Secretary-Treasurer of that part of the Convention’s work. The Convention is in session in Louisville, Kentucky, and the announcement of his homegoing was made to the body by Dr. Stephen John Thurston, President.
Pastor Raphael was a noted community activist and led an anti-violence crusade and paid for a billboard bearing the commandment, “Thou Shalt Not Kill.” He frequently “hit the streets” to bring the gospel to the street.
According to an article at http://www.nola.com – “The son of a police officer, Pastor Raphael studied at Loyola University and Southern University and earned a bachelor of theology degree at Union Baptist Theological Seminary. He also received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Christian Bible College of New Orleans.”
In addition, he continued his education by supporting WHW Ministries of Los Angeles, California.
“A funeral will be held July 2 at 7 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, 1807 LaSalle St. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m.
A second service will be held July 3 at 11 a.m. at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m.Burial will be in Providence Memorial Park, 8200 Airline Drive, Metairie. Heritage Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Catherine Raphael; a son, John C. Raphael III of New Orleans; a stepson, Therron Glover of New Orleans; a brother, Benjamin Raphael of New Orleans; five sisters, Aurora Carter, Keely Bowen and Janna Raphael, all of New Orleans, Sharon Cole of Sterling, Va., and Miriam Montgomery of Montgomery, Ala.; and a grandchild. “(www.nola.com)
My wife, Juanita, and I would like to express our sincere condolences to the Raphael Family in the passing of Reverend John C. Raphael, Jr., pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana. During my tenure as president of the National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA, in 2005, Reverend Raphael was the guest speaker at my Presidential Banquet that was held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and, I am so appreciative of the opportunity that we shared to worship God and to share of His goodness with our brothers and sisters.