2014 Special Feature: Raylene Hlavaty

Our special feature this year is a presentation by Raylene Hlavaty. She will portray Fanny Crosby, who is known as the "Queen of the Gospel Hymn" and the blind poetess. Fanny is the author of the well-known hymns "Blessed Assurance," "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior" and "To God Be the Glory." Born in 1820, Fanny became blind at six weeks old. Rather than hinder, blindness gave her an ear for rhyme and an opportunity for education. She believed that God had ordained her blindness for His glory. By the time of her death in 1915, she had written more than 8,000 hymns - many of which are still sung today.
During the presentation, Raylene Hlavaty will portray Fanny Crosby in first person and in costume. Raylene is married to Mike Hlavaty and is currently home-schooling their three sons.