Pastor Marvin Edward Raines

Marvin Raines was born in Lamesa, Texas February 8, 1952. He found his place in this world when his family moved to Kennedale, Texas just as he was starting High School. They lived in a falling down house in a wrecking yard with no running water but Marvin chose to see it as a gated community. While working several jobs and providing for his family the new kid in town who lived in the junkyard would be voted most courteous, President of the Student Counsel, Captain of the football team, and despite being 5’2” and no more than a 135 lbs. was voted all district football player offensively and defensively by the opposing coaches.
In Kennedale he met and married Debra Joplin. They had three children together, Chad who passed shortly after birth, Kimberly, and Chase. Those two children would bring him two more in their spouses, Roger and Rachel. The four kids together produced six grandchildren who all truly believe they were his favorite: Thomas Hayden, Emmy, Hayley, Teagen, Xavier, and Tessa Jewel. He was the most tremendous husband, father, and Dotdaw the world will ever know. Every second he was with any or all of them he lived to the fullest. Had he ever met the future he would have taught it what it means to live in the present.
Marvin pastored four churches in his almost 50 years of full-time pastoral ministry: Calvary Baptist Crowley, Texas, Central Baptist Church Central City, Nebraska, Victory Baptist Church Carlsbad, New Mexico, and Liberty Baptist Church Kennedale, Texas. He would remain at Liberty Church for over 35 years and build an incredible legacy that will continue to change lives through Marvin’s absolute belief that “Everybody is somebody, because God didn’t make no junk”. The healing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the ministry of Pastor Marvin Raines saved souls, restored families, healed the sick, fed the hungry, put shoes on the feet of orphans, clothed the naked, housed the homeless, comforted the broken hearted, and changed literally thousands of people’s lives on two continents. He pastored a church of a hundred people that somehow fed thousands every year. He loved people and ministered daily wherever his day took him whether the home of the President to the most horrific prison. If he was ever your pastor I know he was your favorite one, and I bet you felt like you were his favorite too.
Marvin died on April 20, 2024 like he lived, believing Jesus and loving people. He was surrounded by his family and in the arms of his beautiful daughter Kimberly holding the hand of his son Chase completely at peace and ready to be reunited in heaven with his mother Joyce, son Chad, and fellow Elder at Liberty and personal hero Uncle Doyle. He prayed for and ministered to everyone that found themselves in his hospital room. Doctors, nurses, food services, and housekeeping all found themselves telling him things about their lives and struggles while wiping tears away hearing “You have to believe something, so you might as well believe you are going to make it though this” and wearing their new “God is bigger than that” bracelet. By this point you won’t be surprised to know he was their favorite patient. 
Marvin was preceded in death by his son Chad Raines, Mother Joyce Raines, Father Jewel Paul Raines, sister Betty Raines, Uncle Doyle Raines, Father-in-law Floyd Joplin, and mother-in-law Mattie Sue Joplin.