Reverend Tracy A Collins of “Rev’s Country tours, enlightening his patrons with the rich history of natchez at the Forks of the Roads.
“ I have to be honest with you, I’m a tell it like it is kind of guy”
As I entered the Natchez Visitors Center, I didn’t anticipate the gift I would receive from this interview. Reverend Tracy A Collins also known as “Rev”, is the owner/operator of “Rev’s Country Tours” headquartered here in Natchez. “Rev” greeted me with a warm smile and firm handshake, as we sat on the benches seated in the center section of the Visitors Center. Before we began, “Rev” said to me, “I have to be honest with you, I’m a tell it like it is kind of guy”, as he gave a warm chuckle. We conversed for a while before his 2PM tour began, then off we went on one of the most in-depth tours I’ve ever experienced covering Natchez history.
This tour was a very enlightening voyage into the history of Natchez, told colorfully through the words of “Rev”. There were beautiful truths as well as ugly truths that were easier to digest because of the southern humor implemented by Reverend Collins. As the tour came to an end, I sat down with the “one man, one van” (as he sometimes calls himself) to learn what inspired his journey into tourism.
Reverend Collins shared with me that he was an elected official in Jefferson County, yet he didn’t know much history about the people in the county he was representing. He went on to tell me how he went on a personal journey to learn as much history about the county as he could. “ I would be holding a book in one hand, and doing something else with the other”, said “Rev” as he laughed out loud at the memories. Collins went on to express how important history is in understanding the future, given reference to the reason he tells the parts that aren’t told as often.
Some of the stops on the tour were The Grand Indian Village, where “rev” went into detail about the original tribes in Natchez and vast knowledge of the land. Another stop was the beautiful Melrose House. I consider myself a history buff and I was intrigued about what I didn’t know. I would go into detail but I wouldn’t dare ruin the tour for you readers. Along the tour were many other jewels of hidden history, told in an interactive way that allows tourists to be entertained by “Revs” charm and humor while taking away lessons from the past.
We returned to The Natchez Visitor’s Center, I stood to the side as “Rev” thanked and interacted with his patrons. We then sat under the trees of the courtyard where I could learn more about Mr. “One Man, One Van”. I wanted to know more about his ministry and how it ties in with his tour business. Reverend Collins told me that he had been in ministry for twenty years, and is the Pastor of East Mount Olive Baptist Church located in Redlick, MS. He went on to say how being a pastor is also being a bit of a historian in itself. Collins went on to explain how being in love with God is being in love with the truth, and that’s why truth has to be a part of his tours. I asked “Rev” what does he vision “Rev Country Tours” becoming in the future? He looked at me with that signature warm smile and said, “ I could say I would love to expand and add more vans and tour guides, but in honesty I will move how I am led”, referring to his faith.
I walked away with a gift of knowledge and the privilege to meet a man sharing the knowledge he has obtained through much research and experience. “Rev” is not your ordinary pastor, he has a realness about him that allows everyday people to relate to his words. That realness flows over into his tours making them an unordinary experience that is enjoyable and informative for all. You can find the loving family man’s website at revscountrytours.com or the Natchez Visitors Center. Rev’s Country Tours phone contact is (601) 807-5337.
