About Our Pastor
Rev. Dr. H. D. Rucker, Sr.
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His Personal Life |
Rev. Dr. Harry Douglas Rucker Sr. was born to John D. and Thelma Jordan Rucker, April 2, 1948 in Griffin, Georgia. His immediate family consists of his three children - Elgin, Terri and Harry, II; grandchildren - Elgin Otis, Terrina-Rose, Regis, Sarah, Isabelle, Harry, III, and Royale and great grandchild - Tori-Rose Syncere; parents - James and Thelma Hawes (deceased) , and brother, David Rucker.
Rev. Rucker is a graduate of Jones High School, Orlando Florida, Class of 1967 where he was a member of the "Fighting Tigers" Basketball Team and served as Captain his Senior year. Rev. Rucker continued his education and in 1972 obtained an Associates of Arts, Sociology, at Valencia Community College, Orlando Florida; in 1980 a Bachelor of Arts, Religion, at Florida Southern College, Lakeland Florida; in 1983 a Masters of Divinity at Morehouse School of Religion - The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia and in 1993 he earned his Doctor of Ministry at Reformed Theological Seminary, Maitland, Florida. |
His Call to the Ministry |
Rev. Rucker confessed his calling in 1974 and gave his trail sermon Thanksgiving, November 1974. He was Licensed to preach in 1979 and Ordained into the Gospel Ministry in 1980 while at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, Orlando Florida. His father in the Ministry was the late Rev. Joseph Hargett.
The First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church family was blessed when they called Rev. Rucker to Pastor his first, and only, church in 1983. He inspired a movement of the Church body by relocating from Thirteenth Street to the current edifice at 700 South Elm Avenue, Sanford, Florida. He led the Church in expanding Her assets by acquiring surrounding properties and buildings. Rev. Rucker established the Bread of Life Ministry that provides a hot meal every Thursday evening. He lead the project of renovating the Church sanctuary and surrounding properties as well as other endeavors. |