Rapp recognized for 65 years in ministry

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LUCASVILLE — For 65 years, Tim Rapp has served faithfully in ministry, and was recently honored by his home church, Center Street Church in Lucasville for the longevity of years in service and his commitment to his God.

Rapp is a native of Waverly, where he said he has spent the majority of his life. He attended welding school in Troy, Ohio, the trade which he worked in all of his life, and was employed as a welder at the Atomic Plant for 20 years, in addition to serving in ministry.

“I was converted in 1951, and soon thereafter I started singing and teaching. I started at the Waverly Church of Christ in Christian Union, I’m currently going to Center Street Church in Lucasville, where I teach a Bible study class there each Sunday evening at five o’clock. I have been doing that for five years.”My current pastor, Phil Howard, I can’t say enough about him,” Rapp said. “He’s a wonderful pastor and I am privileged to serve there under his leadership.”

His belief is that his ministry will continue even when he is time here on earth is completed.

“I am currently 82 years old, and I attribute my long life and great happiness to the fact that I was engaged in something that will outlive my life,” Rapp said. “I’ve worked in and out of denominations. I’ve worked in tent meetings, as well as churches. I have ministered in as much as 50 or 60 funerals. Most of my ministry has been in the state of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.”

He is married to Regina Rapp, and has a son Martin Jay Rapp and a daughter, Robin Fernandez.

“I had a diverse ministry in song evangelism and also in preaching and teaching. So those three areas is where I have spent most of my time,” Rapp said. “Song evangelism is where you are responsible for all of the music of the camp meeting services. I sing and I utilized other singers also.

Singing is an essential part of life for most people, according to Rapp.

“It seems to me that the majority of people enjoy music. That is verified by the millions of records that are sold each day,” Rapp said. “Music is a joyful sound and I have found Christianity to be joyful religion, so they blend well together.”

Pastor of Center Street Church Phil Howard, said Rapp is a joy to have in their congregation.

“He (Rapp) has been in ministry for 65 years, but he has just been with us for five years,” Howard said. “He is a wonderful Bible scholar, and he teaches for us on Sunday evenings and just does a wonderful job. We are just so blessed to have him in our midst.”

Rapp said some of his highlights in his journey would be song evangelism at the Circleville Camp Meetings, where he served for two years. Nipten Camp Meeting, located in a small community outside of Chillicothe where Rapp served for 14 years as a song evangelist.

“It has been a rewarding lifetime of seeing people’s lifestyle change and to see them actually accept Christ. It has been very rewarding,” Rapp said.

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Tim Rapp was recently honored at Center Street Church in Lucasville for 65 years of service in ministry.
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2016/03/web1_IMG_2115-2.jpgTim Rapp was recently honored at Center Street Church in Lucasville for 65 years of service in ministry.

By Portia Williams

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Reach Portia Williams at 740-353-3101, ext. 1929, or on Twitter @PortiaWillPDT.

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