Henry Lee McRae Sr.

Reverend Henry Lee McRae Sr. was born to Mardell McRae on May 13, 1943 in High Point, North Carolina. As a child between the ages of 5 and 10, Rev. McRae had a personal visitation by the Spirit of the Living God. During this visitation, he saw himself leading people of all nationalities. In this vision, the Rev. McRae recalled that he was preaching to the lost souls from various countries and this was a direct revelation for God’s purpose for his life. Although he did not understand it at the time, soon he would see the vision fulfilled.

Rev. McRae was educated in the High Point public school system until the 9th grade. At the age of 15 while passing a tent revival meeting, Rev. McRae was called to the altar by his Mother-in-Christ, Mother Norleen Femister, who shared the gospel with him. At that moment he received Jesus Christ as his Personal Saviour and was baptized in the Holy Spirit at the age of 17. At the age of 19, Rev. McRae received the Call of God into the Ministry and received biblical training at the Shield of Faith Bible Institute of Cleveland, Tennessee where he received Ordination.

Rev. McRae had a gift for music that he shared with his quartet group in High Point, NC and later as an organist for several ministries. He acted as Minister of Music for Jim Whittington and his ministerial outreach in and around North Carolina. Rev. McRae went on to hold the same position at Refuge Temple Revival Center located in Seaford, DE where he also ministered with word during revival. As he began to focus more on ministering the word, he held onto this love of music and would often open with a song “Jesus What A Wonder You Are”.

In 1967 Rev. McRae was ministering in a revival at Refuge Temple under the leadership of Pastor Leon Williams. Here he met Victoria Deshields who was new to Christ and attending the services with a friend. Rev. McRae and Victoria began courting and were married in 1968 by Pastor Williams. Following their wedding, Rev and Victoria McRae were invited to Providence, Rhode Island by the late Bishop Arnold Lee “Ted” Robinson for their honeymoon and to preach the word of God in a revival at Church of Deliverance. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, they remained in the city of Providence. In 1969 the couple gave birth to their first child Henry Lee Jr., and three girls: Alita, Tyeace and Candida.

In 1987, Rev. McRae founded Deep Truth Full Gospel Revival Centers, Inc and soon the revelation of his youth was revealed. He and Evangelist Victoria McRae began to travel nationally and internationally, spreading the word of God to lost souls living in places such as the Philippines, Africa, Haiti, Central America and the West Indies. Rev. & Evangelist McRae participated in a ministry to Communist China that required smuggling Bibles and gospel tracks to the local Underground Church. His last and 4th missionary trip was to the country of India, where he consecrated the land for the building of churches for God called Bible believing pastors. While in the United States, Rev. McRae also continued preaching to his local community, taking his speaker and his microphone to the street corners and into tent revival meetings. Rev. McRae was passionate about his community and sharing the good news to all who would listen. In addition to his in person ministries, Rev McRae ventured to the radio ministry. In 1974 The Old Fashion Preaching Hour debuted on WARV Christian Radio station. Here, Rev McRae continued to share biblical truths and wisdom to his listening audience.

As his radio listeners began to increase, Rev McRae began to answer questions and letters from inmates at the Adult Correctional Institution of Rhode Island. He began ministering to those who had committed what society saw as unforgivable sins, and showed them the love of Christ through fellowship. Later in life, Rev McRae focused more on his mentorship of young ministers by opening the family home to traveling ministers, study abroad Zion Bible Institute students and anyone who just needed a good meal and warm fellowship.

Rev. Henry McRae was not only a minister, but a father and hard worker. He was employed with TF Green Airport for several years. A major love of his in his personal time was gardening and landscaping. He was an independent landscaping contractor for several private families and local patrons . Anyone who visited his home during the summer months left with an array of tomatoes, collard greens and pears. He enjoyed video calling his grandchildren and telling them old stories about his youth, telling them the importance of getting a good education and serving the Lord with all their heart.

Rev. McRae leaves behind his wife of 53 years Victoria McRae, one son Henry McRae Jr. (Jennifer) of Providence, and three daughters Alita McRae-Eagles (David) of South Holland, IL, Tyeace McRae of Central Falls, and Candida Wiltshire (Harry II) of Bluffton, SC. He also leaves behind 7 grandchildren and a host of cousins, friends and family in Christ. He was preceded in death by his mother the late Mardell Anderson, his stepfather the late Odell Anderson, and his sister the late Alice Ruth McRae.

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