Leaders in Faith

Pastor Daniel Braddock

By Cheryl Johnston

After serving 45 years as a minister, Pastor Daniel Braddock has officially retired. He’s grateful for the opportunity to have served the last 27 leading the congregation at First Assembly of God- Plant City. On June 4, the church honored he and his wife Frances at celebrations in the morning and evening.

Now they will rest and spend more time with family, while Pastor Braddock hopes for extra hunting and freshwater fishing hours. He also expects a little travel as he fills in occasionally when other ministers need help. Ultimately, they plan to continue enjoying the friendly lifestyle and traditions of the Plant City community.

His favorite gospel song is “Beulah Land” and favorite Bible verse is Psalm 27:1 -- “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Tell us a little about your family.

Frances and I will celebrate 57 years of marriage in August. She has worked as our church secretary also. Our daughter, Kimberly Moore, is a pianist and married to John. Both serve here at First Assembly. Their daughter, Audry Terryn, is 13 and active with our youth. Although our son, Grady Terrell, was killed in 1998 in the line of duty as a deputy in Orange County, Florida, we remain close with his wife. Those who knew Grady said he had two callings: his Bible and his badge. Our children’s faith in God means so much to us.

What compelled you to become a pastor?

My father was also a pastor, so I grew up knowing God, but I accepted the Lord personally as a junior in high school during a youth camp in Marianna, Florida, near Bonifay where I grew up. Being a preacher’s kid, evangelists would often stay with us, which exposed me to their work. After graduating in 1964, I attended Southeastern Bible College (now University) in Lakeland for a year. There I received God’s call to preach but left school for a time. (I knew in my heart I would one day pastor a church but resisted the call for 10 years). When I returned to school, I met and married Frances, then joined the Army on our first wedding anniversary. I served four years, which included 19 months at Homestead Air Force Base and two years in Germany. While in Germany, we led a fellowship group three times weekly with military families mostly from Pentecostal backgrounds.

One month after being ordained as a minister in 1975, I accepted the position to pastor West Scenic Park Assembly of God in Lake Wales. For a few years I also drove a truck to deliver air conditioning ductwork. Pastor Ernest Holbrook recommended me for the position at First Assembly- Plant City.

What have you loved most about your work?

To see how God has changed people’s lives for the better is so encouraging. I’m a people person who loves ministry in general, but doing what I can in times of critical need helps me, too. I just want to be there during their hospital stays, deaths, and tragedies. Those times bring people closer together and closer to God.

What would you advise Christ followers?

There is no stopping in the work of the Lord. Continue to grow in Him, to meditate, and get alone in the secret place with Him. He will direct your life. By example, encourage others to know Jesus, too.

And to those considering the Christian faith?

We all need the Lord. Take a step toward Him and He will guide you.

Join the friendly family of First Assembly of God- Plant City at 602 Charlie Griffin Road for Sunday School at 9:30AM, Morning Worship at 10:30, and Evening Worship at 6:00PM and then again on Wednesday nights at 7:00PM for Adult Bible Study, Youth Ministry, and Missionettes. Here you will discover folks empowered by the Holy Spirit to “Love, Live, Give, Serve, and Pray like Jesus.”