Dear Family of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Raymond was born to Raymond, Sr., and Mary Franks, on April 25, 1940 in Shamrock, Texas. Both of his parents were ordained ministers, and served over 50 years in ministry, including stateside evangelism, missionary evangelism, and pastoral ministry.
Raymond married I. Huletta Franks on August 6, 1965, in a ceremony at Highland Assembly of God Church, in Albuquerque, NM. They had two children, a son, Brenton, and a daughter, Michon. Huletta was very talented in church music, and the two of them became a team sharing as pastors in both music and the Word of God. Together they pastored in Las Cruces, NM, Grand Junction, CO, and Jal, NM. In 1970 they came to Albuquerque to establish Evangel Christian Center. In 1985, Huletta passed away with cancer. In 1987, God provided another companion when Raymond met Bethal J. Crow. Introduced to her by a minister friend, they married in late 1987. Becky, as she is fondly known, became another asset to church ministry with her outgoing and loving personality, reaching out to everyone in the congregation in sincere Christian love.
Family was always most important to Raymond! Family vacations were a highlight of each year. Holidays were also special times the family got together. After marrying Becky, the families blended with all of the children, spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren coming together to share with each other. He truly loved every member of his family, and was so proud of each of their accomplishments and their dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Raymond was involved in media ministry for many years. In the early 70’s, he hosted a Saturday afternoon Christian music program on KKIM Radio, taking requests from the community, and playing the latest in gospel music. He was the founder of KLYT radio, building the station from the ground up, using used equipment and equipment donated by other broadcasters. The station is now heard through New Mexico and around the world on the Internet, ministering to the youth of this generation.
When cable television came to Albuquerque, he worked with Genco Cable and Albuquerque Cable, programming the religious cable channel for them. From there he obtained a license to build KAZQ, Channel 32 Television, which today reaches nearly all of New Mexico, parts of northeastern Arizona, and southwestern Colorado with family oriented and inspirational programming. When another station became available, KTVS was acquired, and it too provides quality programming for the Albuquerque metro area.
Evangel Christian Center was the primary focus of his 46 years in ministry. In 1970, the church started on the back porch of a rented house, at 8901 Candelaria, NE. The first meeting had 7 people in attendance, and the first offering was given to missions. The church grew rapidly, and acquired property next door. Both a worship and educational center were built on that property. Early on, the church opened a pre-school center, and in 1973 established a Christian School. Today, the school is fully licensed and accredited, taking children at 6 weeks and graduating them from high school. At its first location the church was in 6 building programs. That church sold the location to Sangre de Christo Catholic Community, and they shared use of the facility for 13 months while a new worship center was being built at 4501 Montgomery Blvd. NE. The church continues to be blessed, and has been in 7 major building programs at this location.
In 2006, Raymond turned the reigns of the church to his son, Rev. Brenton D. Franks. The congregation had asked him to become the senior pastor at the retirement of his dad. Rev. Franks was always proud that his congregation would accept his son as their new senior pastor of the church.
Many, many people recognize Pastor Franks from his years on television, both preaching the Word, and hosting the Spectrum program. In January 2013, the program was aired daily, and co-hosted by his daughter-in-law, Ruth Franks. Pastor Franks was known for his passion for preaching the Word, and helping people of all ages. His ministry resulted in a number of young ministers being trained and sent out to pastor other churches. Through education, he has seen second and third generations come and go through the Evangel Christian Academy. For the past 6 years, he was proud to have his daughter, Michon Henegar, serve as the Head Administrator of the school. He was always excited to be used to mentor others, and was especially fond of young people and young ministers.
Reverend Franks was an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, in Springfield, MO, and a member of the Assemblies of God New Mexico Ministry Network. He worked on many projects with the denomination, serving on the committee which approved new ministers, and was instrumental in helping the denomination build a new convention center in Ruidoso, NM, Cook Canyon Ranch Retreat and Convention Center.
Pastor Franks was preceded in death by his first wife, I. Huletta Franks, his parents, R.L. Franks, Sr., and Mary V. Franks, and his daughter-in-law, Brenda Crow. He is survived by his wife Bethel (Becky) Franks; his son Brenton Franks and his wife Ruth, his daughter Michon Henegar and her husband Mark, his son Randy Crow, and his son Sandy Crow; his brother, Dale Franks; his grandchildren, Dillan, Tyler, Shalyn, Ashley, Brandon, Britnee, Brock, and Keaton; and his great-grandchildren, Daisy, Lainey, Judah, Jeremiah, Brave, and Barrett.
Friends may visit Thursday, January 30, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Wyoming. The Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, January 31, 2014, 1:30 p.m., at Evangel Christian Center, 4501 Montgomery Blvd. NE. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alpha Omega Broadcasting or Evangel Christian Center, 4501 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.
The best response to losses or thwarted hopes is praise: The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Remember that all good things—-your possessions, your family and friends, your health and abilities, your time—–are gifts from Me. Instead of feeling entitled to all these blessings, respond to them with gratitude. Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of My hand!Please read Psalm 139: 23-24, 1 Peter 5:6, Job 1:21
I thought this was so interesting, I had to pass it along.
Is the Bible the Inspired Word of God? By Jason Carlson and Ron Carlson, 5/25/11
During a question and answer session at a recent speaking engagement, a university student asked me, “Why do you believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God?”
Now this is a very interesting question, and probably one of the most important questions any Christian could ask themselves. What is so special, so unique about the Bible that Christians believe it is literally the inspired word of God?
In answering this student’s question, I encouraged him to consider the following facts about the Bible. First, the Bible is not just one single book. This is a more common misconception than many people realize, especially with people who do not come from a Judeo-Christian background. Rather than being a single book, the Bible is actually a collection of 66 books, which is called the canon of scriptures. These 66 books contain a variety of genres: history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom literature, letters, and apocalyptic, just to name a few.
Second, these 66 books were written by 40 different authors. These authors came from a variety of backgrounds: shepherds, fishermen, doctors, kings, prophets, and others. And most of these authors never knew one another personally.
Third, these 66 books were written over a period of 1,500 years. Yet again, this is another reminder that many of these authors never knew or collaborated with one another in writing these books.
Fourth, the 66 books of the Bible were written in 3 different languages. In the Bible we have books that were written in the ancient languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic; a reflection of the historical and cultural circumstances in which each of these books were written.
And finally, these 66 books were written on 3 different continents: Africa , Asia , and Europe. Once again, this is a testament to the varied historical and cultural circumstances of God’s people.
Think about the above realities: 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1,500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents. What’s more, this collection of books shares a common storyline – the creation, fall, and redemption of God’s people; a common theme – God’s universal love for all of humanity; and a common message -salvation is available to all who repent of their sins and commit to following God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength.
In addition to sharing these commonalities, these 66 books contain no historical errors or contradictions. God’s word truly is an amazing collection of writings!
After I had shared the above facts with this student, I offered him the following challenge. “If you do not believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, or if you do not believe that the Bible is of a supernatural origin, then I challenge you to a test. I challenge you togo to any library in the world (you can choose any library you like), and find 66 books which match the characteristics of the 66 books in the Bible. You must choose 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1,500 years, in 3 different languages, written on 3 different continents. However, they must share a common storyline, a common theme, and a common message, with no historical errors or contradictions.” I went on to say, “If you can produce such a collection of books, I will admit that the Bible is not the inspired word of God.”
The student’s reply was almost instantaneous, he emphatically stated, “But that’s impossible!”
It truly is impossible, for any collection of human writings. However, the Bible passes this test. The Bible contains 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1,500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents, with no historical errors or contradictions. The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, bears the mark of Divine inspiration.
The next time you encounter someone who asks you why you believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, try sharing this challenge with them. Better yet, don’t wait until you’re asked, just go ahead and share this challenge with a friend today. You don’t even have to mention the Bible up front, just ask them if they think it would be realistic to assemblesuch a collection of books. After they say, “But that’s impossible!” you’ve got a ready-made opportunity for sharing the truth of God’s word with somebody!
In God We Trust.
