Colonel Raymond H. Hawkins
Colonel Raymond H. Hawkins
Pastor, OCA Col. Chaplain and Military Chaplain (Ret.) | USAF, Hospice, OCA and VA Chaplain
A dedicated military chaplain, senior pastor, counselor, speaker, and educator with professional experience across more than four decades, Colonel Raymond H. Hawkins has devoted his accomplished career to supporting thousands of individuals and families during critical life transitions. His accrued 24 years of military experience began in 1971 when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, advancing in rank from a private to a staff sergeant in eight years, before serving as an aircraft electrician for the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command and a central supply-processing technician for the U.S. Army.
During this time, Col. Hawkins reconnected with his faith, believing he received a word from God and recognizing it as a clear calling. He attended the Apostolic Bible Institute, where he was ordained in ministry, and became a pastor, ultimately founding the Calvary United Pentecostal Church, which he ran from 1982 to 1987. He subsequently combined his services in the church and military, joining the U.S. Air Force Chaplain Corps as a chaplain, where he was active from 1989 until his retirement in 2005. Among his myriad military career highlights, he was active as a chaplain at Tripler Army Medical Center, providing health care to individuals from Indonesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian communities; to effectively serve these diverse groups, he committed himself to understanding their unique cultures and religions, ensuring he could minister them appropriately. In addition, he served as the director for a youth group at Keesler Air Force Base—expanding the group from eight to 58 young people within three months.
Over the course of his remarkable military career, Col. Hawkins earned numerous accolades, including two Meritorious Service Medals, three Commendation Medals, and two Meritorious Masts, among others. He has remained connected through memberships with the Military Chaplains Association United States of America, Military Officers Association of America, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans.
Following his retirement from the military, Col. Hawkins devoted a decade to serving as a senior pastor at Pentecostal Lighthouse Church and nine years as a spiritual care chaplain at Suncoast Hospice. In 2004, he also co-founded the Occupational Chaplains of America, a national ministry that provides training, education, credentials, and licensing for ministers; he was active as its director up until 2021. He subsequently relocated to Hawaii, where he spent five years enriching his community. In his first year there, he volunteered at Hickam Air Force Base, where he conducted more than 100 funerals, and then assisted chaplains at Fort DeRussy Chapel for a year, supporting their ministry and worship services.
After his volunteer work, Col. Hawkins decided to return to the workplace, taking a position as a VA Hospice Chaplain through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. During his time there, he performed numerous funerals and was encouraged by the head chaplain toe stablish a Sunday morning worship service, which he successfully organized and conducted along with a Wednesday night Bible study. Following this position, he was active as the spiritual care chaplain at Bristol Hospice from 2019 to 2021.
Outside of his primary endeavors, Col. Hawkins has lent his empathy to various causes, donating to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Compassion International, among others. Throughout his professional journey, he has maintained a strong dedication to education as well. He attained an associate degree in business administration from Johnston College, a bachelor’s degree in humanities and theology from Campbell University, a Master of Divinity in pastoral care and evangelism from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1991, and a bachelor’s degree in clinical, counseling, and applied psychology from the U.S. Air Force in 2000.
Looking toward the future, Col. Hawkins is currently working on establishing a 501(c) (3) organization, which he plans to name CARE, or Community Assistance and Resources for Enhancement. He also recently added “author” to his list of titles with the publication of his book, “Abounding in Flory!: Get a Glimpse of God’s Glory,” in which he details his journey from difficult childhood, surrounded by familial alcoholism and life in an orphanage, to finding his faith.
Press Release
Col. Raymond H. Hawkins, MDiv, CPE, Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who
Col. Raymond H Hawkins, MDiv, has been endorsed by Marquis Who’s Who as a leader in the military and civilian industry
COCOA, FL, November 24, 2025 — Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Col. Raymond H. Hawkins, MDiv, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Hawkins celebrates many years’ experience in his professional network and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Col. Hawkins has distinguished himself through a five-decade career marked by leadership, service and innovation in military chaplaincy, pastoral care and organizational development. His most recent role as staff, wing and command chaplain with the U.S. Air Force spanned over 15 years, culminating in his retirement. During this tenure, Col. Hawkins provided spiritual guidance and support to service members and their families, earning recognition for his commitment to the well-being of diverse military communities.
Following his Air Force service, Col. Hawkins co-founded and served as the director of Occupational Chaplains of America for over a decade. Alongside two fellow Fulbright colonels, he established the organization to provide comprehensive chaplaincy services across the U.S. and internationally. The founders implemented a rank system to reflect experience levels among chaplains, with new members starting as second lieutenants or lieutenants and the founders holding the rank of colonel. Under Col. Hawkins’ supervision, the ministry expanded from eight ministers to more than 350 chaplains worldwide, encompassing police and fire chaplaincy, industrial and corporate chaplaincy and hospital, hospice and emergency medical services chaplaincy. He personally trained approximately 80 ministers in hospital and hospice care, emphasizing rigorous screening to ensure high standards and mitigate risks. Col. Hawkins also co-led training seminars at International Church national conferences for two decades, mentoring prospective chaplains both domestically and abroad.
Col. Hawkins’ expertise extended to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he served as a VA chaplain for one year. In this capacity at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, he ministered to individuals from Indonesian, Polynesian and Micronesian backgrounds. He dedicated himself to understanding their unique cultures and religions to provide appropriate spiritual care. During his time at the VA Hospital in Hawaii, Col. Hawkins conducted numerous funerals and was instrumental in establishing a Sunday morning worship service and a Wednesday night Bible study at the encouragement of the head chaplain.
At Suncoast Hospice in Florida, Col. Hawkins was an end-of-life spiritual care chaplain for about 10 years. He later continued this work as a Bristol Hospice chaplain in Hawaii for two years. In both roles, Col. Hawkins provided compassionate support to patients and families navigating challenging circumstances.
Earlier in his career, Col. Hawkins founded Calvary United Pentecostal Church in Dunn, North Carolina, where he excelled as a pastor for more than five years. He subsequently led Pentecostal Lighthouse in Dunedin, Florida, from November 2005 to November 2015. His leadership fostered growth within these congregations while advancing community outreach initiatives.
Col. Hawkins’s military journey began with service in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1971 to 1979, rising from private (E-1) to staff sergeant (E-6). He received two meritorious promotions, as well as two meritorious masts, recognizing his exemplary conduct. After transitioning from enlisted ranks, Col. Hawkins was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1989 and advanced through first lieutenant, captain and major before retiring from active duty in 2005.
Throughout his career, Col. Hawkins has been an active member of several professional and civic organizations, including the Military Chaplains Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. He is also affiliated with Judicial Watch and The Pentecostals of Cocoa, Florida.
Col. Hawkins’ academic achievements have been foundational to his professional success. He received an associate’s degree in business administration from Johnston College, a bachelor’s degree in humanities and theology from Campbell University, a second bachelor’s degree in clinical counseling and applied psychology with an emphasis on clinical pastoral education from the U.S. Air Force, and a Master of Divinity in pastoral care and evangelism from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to his formal education, Col. Hawkins has obtained several professional certifications that have enhanced his capabilities, such as U.S. Air Force clinical pastoral education certification, U.S. Air Force middle management supervisor school certification for majors, and U.S. Air Force suicide awareness and prevention certification.
Maintaining extensive civic engagement, Col. Hawkins has been involved as a monthly donor or supporter of Compassion International, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Military Chaplains Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and, among others, the Military Officers Association of America. Volunteer roles have included serving as an honorary chaplain, guest speaker at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and as a volunteer chaplain and guest speaker at Fort DeRussy Army Chapel, among numerous other community-based ministries.
Col. Hawkins is an accomplished author with the publication “Abounding In Glory! Get a Glimpse of God’s Glory” released in 2025. Notably, for two decades, he co-led national training seminars for International Church conferences alongside William Dillon, who wrote the foreword for his book.
In recognition of his military background, Col. Hawkins was decorated with two Meritorious Service Medals and three Commendation Medals and several others. He also received recognition as Company Grade Officer of the Quarter at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi and received the Chief Master Sergeant Outstanding Performance Coin and several other awards at McChord Air Force Base in Washington for creating two Benchmark Airmen Cafes.
Col. Hawkins is working toward establishing a nonprofit organization called Community Assistance and Resources for Enhancement, or CARE, to support those in need. Thus far, his legacy has been defined by unwavering dedication to faith, service, mentorship, cross-cultural understanding, organizational leadership, community engagement, and a servant’s heart, recognized by all those whose lives he has touched throughout his distinguished career.
