Plant City resident Calvin E. Callins Sr. was recognized by the city commission this month for 25 years as pastor at Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries. Dozens of family members, friends and parishioners attended the meeting to show their love and support for Callins Sr.
City officials shared stories about their interactions with the man. “We go way back, when I was a middle school teacher at Turkey Creek he was in my eighth grade history class,” recalled Commissioner Mary Mathis. “He has such a wonderful voice and I love him and his family.”
Callins Sr. was humbled to be recognized for his service to the city and its residents. “I want to express my love for this city and the people in it,” he said. “For this commission to take a moment to see the religious side and the God side of what someone does is awesome, that’s what makes Plant City so special to me because they know God keeps this city covered.”
Callins Sr., who’s as gifted a musician as he is a pastor, at the tender age of four started playing drums at Gospel Tabernacle Church where his grandfather Rudolph Callins was pastor. By the age of 12, he was its music minister. “I knew as a child even though I excelled in sports, I knew my calling was to touch people’s lives through music and ministry,” he said. “Music has a way of lifting broken people no matter where they are in life.”
After graduating from Plant City High School in 1992, Callins Sr. moved to Atlanta to pursue a career in the music industry but in 1994 he turned down a music contract to come home and record the gospel album, “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together,” with 60 family members.
He married his high school sweetheart Tandria in 1996, who has served alongside him for his entire career, then two years later began his pastoral service as senior pastor at Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries.
“Hearing the voice of the Lord and with people believing in a 25-year-old pastor we opened the church in the old skating rink building on Park Rd.,” he said.
The church swelled to more than 800 members and relocated to the space it now occupies at 2104 Mud Lake Rd.
Along with juggling his duties as a husband, father and pastor, he’s serving as an assistant director of the Florida Strawberry Festival, volunteers his time with World Vision and continues to cultivate his musical talent by touring with gospel artists.
Callins Sr. is quick to point out that he couldn’t have done it without his village. “It was a great team effort, my wife and I we did not do it on our own,” he said. “We had a great support system and for 25 years we’ve always had a great support system.”
He doesn’t intend to slow down anytime soon. “My favorite saying is that I want to die empty,” he said. “I want to make sure I’ve fulfilled my mission in life and in ministry and done everything God’s called me to do.”
Mayor Nate Kilton recognized Callins Sr. for his positive influence on residents. “I want you to know how much we appreciate you and the contribution you and your family has made to this city and we can’t thank you enough,” he said. “God’s not done with you yet, you’ve got more work to do.”