Tom Raper Foundation INC.
Committed to strengthening the Lord’s work by partnering with evangelistic efforts worldwide.
Tom Raper Foundation INC. has been able to be a part of:
Foreign Missions
Providing a grant for a vehicle for church-planters to further the Gospel’s reach in Zambia and throughout the region.
LAND DONATION
Gifting the funds to purchase farm land to a ministry that then could produce pure water, grow food and raise livestock. This created an educational environment and job-training opportunities on the mission field, enabling local natives to have an occupation which results in them giving back to the Lord's work.
EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS
Providing funds for three Evangelist American Military Rallies for the furtherance of the Gospel resulting in hundreds of people being saved.
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to assist in the funding of Biblically-based projects for the furtherance of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our President
Suzanne was born on a Saturday, January 30, 1943. She lived the first 25 years of her life in the inner city of Indianapolis, Indiana. She was saved as a young girl at Victory Baptist Church in Indianapolis and was baptized shortly thereafter. After high school graduation, Suzanne worked 7 years as a Chair Side Dental Assistant at Indiana University School of Dentistry in the Pedodonics Department. She met Tom Raper when she was sixteen and they were married 9 years later, on August 4, 1968. They lived in Richmond, Indiana, population 30,000, where they started Tom Raper RVs. The Lord blessed their business greatly and they grew to be the largest recreational vehicle dealer in the world.
Through Tom Raper RVs, Tom acquired much influence with the Lord’s help, which they used to reach many people with the Gospel. In 1981, they started the Tom Raper Foundation to help “strengthen churches, ministries, Christian organizations and mission work.” In the 1990s, they began hosting annual Tom Raper Rallies. Through these rallies, thousands of people were invited to Richmond, Indiana, to spend a weekend at the county fairgrounds. Along with the great food and fellowship, the Rapers invited everyone to a “church service on Sunday to hear the Gospel.” God blessed these services and they were able to see thousands of souls trust Christ as their savior.
Tom and Suzanne served the Lord through traveling throughout the Midwest, preaching and ministering to churches for 46 years. On April 14, 2015, Tom Raper went home to be with the Lord. Suzanne resides during the winter months in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and during the summer in Richmond, Indiana, where she can be close to her family.
Suzanne continues with the Tom Raper Foundation and presides as President.
Suzanne connects with woman across the country through motivational speaking in churches, colleges and ladies’ meetings. Her passion is to build friendships and train women in hospitality, so that they may make an impact on the next generation. She believes to be a truly effective soul winner, you must first win people to yourself and then win them to the Lord and share the Gospel.
Suzanne Raper
President & Board Member
Board Members
John Collier
Vice President
Tim Schelling
Treasurer
Charles Keen
Board Member
Gayle Washington
Board Member
Tom Odom
Secretary
Pastor Collier, affectionately known as "Preacher" and known as one of the best preachers in Central Texas, comes by those honorary titles from being on the road in evangelism for many years. Also, his pulpit experience is surpassed by few. Pastor Collier has been in the ministry over 47 years, has served as both Youth Pastor and Pastor, and has been on staff at Parkview Baptist Church of Waco since 1982.
Winn, his son, is married and pastors in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Vonda, his daughter, is married and is an elementary school teacher in Michigan. Winn and Vonda have 2 children each. Virginia, Preacher’s wife of 49 years, passed away in 2015 after a long battle with cancer.