Obituary for Rev. Raymond L. Franks, Jr.

Rev. Raymond L. Franks, Jr., founding pastor of Evangel Christian Center, and Senior Pastor for 35 years, completed his journey of life on January 25, 2014, and went to be with his Savior, the 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.