Herschel Franklin Collins was born on April 23, 1924 in Vernon, Alabama. He was the youngest of 12 children. Dr. Collins grew up in Mississippi, and spent his younger years on the family farm raising and harvesting cotton. His early musical ability led him to Dallas, Texas at the age of 15 to study piano. He was honored with induction into the Gospel Hall of Fame. Dr. Collins was ordained to the ministry on July 2, 1951 after attending Northwestern Baptist Seminary in Chicago. Dr. Collins was active in the work of the Bible Baptist Fellowship. He served as Assistant to the President of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. He successfully pastored churches in Franklin, Indiana and Taylor, South Carolina. In the summer of 1963, he accepted the pastorate of Calvary Baptist Church in Bellflower, California where he served for 27 years. Dr. Collins led the church to launch a television ministry, "Meetin' Time at Calvary" to expand the reach of the Gospel story beyond the walls of the church. Dr. Collins had a heart for missions. His global journeys took him to Europe, Africa, the Philippines, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. In 1990, Dr. Collins retired and moved with his wife to Lubbock, Texas, and later to Melbourne, Florida. Mrs. Collins preceded him to heaven in 2005. He then moved to Belton, Missouri to be near his son, David. On March 2, 2014, Dr. Collins made his final move to his home in heaven. He will always be remembered and missed by his family and a host of friends. Dr. Collins was a devoted husband, father, mentor, and friend. He was a preacher of courage in standing for the faith. He was unwavering in his convictions, a compassionate soul winner, and a consecrated church builder. He is survived by his daughter and son, six grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.