Rev. Howard J. 'Pud' Rains

Reverend Howard J. Rains, born May 17, 1945, in Columbus, Ohio, peacefully completed the cycle of life here on earth Saturday afternoon June 11, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred Brown and Jedikiah Rains, and his loving wife of 23 years, Andrea L. Rains. Howard (Pud) attended Columbus Public Schools then enlisted in the United States Army Reserves. He served his country for 25 years, and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer. He received many awards and honors during his tenure. Howard attended Columbia Extension College, where he majored in Business Administration, and subsequently graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from THE Ohio State University. Being the meticulous individual he was, Howard went on to Franklin University and received his Masters in Business Administration. Reverend Rains loved the life of service to others. In his early years, he volunteered for the Salesian Boys Girls Club of Ohio and was active in Prison Ministry, serving the Angel’s Heart Aftercare Program faithfully. As basketball coach and mentor to high school boys, Rev. Rains also enjoyed training youth in boxing. He was employed by The Training Institute of Central Ohio, insurance companies, and later worked and retired from DSCC logistics department. After retiring, Reverend Rains assisted at the Christian Community Connection Childcare Center where he served as the administrator after the death of his late wife, Andrea L. Rains. Reverend Rains was born and raised in “The Church” and baptized at the age of eighteen. In November of 1991, he acknowledged his call to Christian Ministry. He began his official ministerial training in March of 1993. In 1996, Howard was ordained at the Ohio Annual Conference by the late Bishop Cecil Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. After serving six years at the Redeemer A.M.E. Zion Church under the late Rhenetta Davis, God called Reverend Howard J. Rains to launch out in ministry at which time he founded and became pastor of the House of God Full Gospel Non-Denominational Church. The first official worship service was on Sunday, October 25, 1998, and his installation and church dedication was held on Sunday, December 13, 1998. Pastor Howard J. Rains is survived by his sons, Amze Ecvepza, Richard (Sonja) Mendes, and Ryan J. Mendes; daughter Heather M. Rains, Kenyan Daughter Rosalind (John) Muchiri, and their children; grandchildren, Cheyanne and Antonio Mendes, Rameika Roller and Langston Cook; two great grandchildren; special aunt Ann Lowery; special cousin John (Helen) Bryson; special friends, Motto and Judy Murray, Sherry (Kenny) Young, Phyllis Blankenship, colleagues, adopted parents, and babies (CCCCC) and a host of other relatives, and friends.