Bill Text: MS HR109 | 2013 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: St. John Baptist Church; commend spiritual excellence upon the occasion of its 89th year anniversary.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-20 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR109 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-HR109-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Williams-Barnes
House Resolution 109
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING ST. JOHN BAPTIST CHURCH UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS 89th ANNIVERSARY, ACKNOWLEDGING THE CELEBRATION OF 89 YEARS OF DEVOUT FAITH AND SPIRITUAL EXCELLENCE.
WHEREAS, St. John Baptist Church, which originated in 1924, with the unofficial meeting of a group of believers at a gathering spot, and officially organized in 1925 by the late Reverend Royston, celebrates its legacy of faith, service and Christian devotion on the occasion of its 89th anniversary observance on Sunday, March 17, 2013; and
WHEREAS, St. John remains a community pillar and haven for the spiritual nourishing of souls, both young and old, who cherish the rich history and traditions of the founding predecessors of their edifice of Christian worship, including, Reverends Royston, J. Henrich, Gilkree, Thomas, Lockett, Herrington, Andrews, Franklin, W.C. McGowen, C.C. Crawford and Roberts; and deacons Jim Coleman, John Hal and John Smith; and
WHEREAS, the members, with an unshakable faith, after the church's official organization conducted services in a house before moving to its 28th Street location, labored as diligent workers in the vineyard to strengthen, replant, rebuild and continue to walk in the path of spiritual righteousness under the spiritual leadership of Reverend I.C. Peay, who came into pastorship in the early 1940's and possessed a vision for a stronger, block structured building, in which members of the congregation pooled together their grocery monies to purchase the blocks, which came to full completion after the pastoral transitions of Reverend Peay, Reverend G.G. Booth and finally Reverend J.H. Mayes, whose vision to add steel beams fortified the building great enough to withstand the tempests of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005; and
WHEREAS, as the years have come and gone, and numerous seasons have changed, change has also been on the horizon for St. John, which, in 2010, experienced a location change of the church from its 28th Street location to Dedeaux Road, after the Mississippi Department of Transportation purchased the property in 2007 to accommodate the expansion of the Port of Gulfport and ease the areas flow of traffic with the construction of a North-South connector road; and
WHEREAS, for the three years during the building of the new edifice, the congregation remained at 28th Street, under the ecclesiastical shepherding of Reverend Luther W. Fairley and the advisory counsel of deacons, Shelton Buckley, Dale W. McGhee, Sr., J.L. Caston, R.L. Johnson, Willie H. Martin, Donald Garrett, Chauncey Felix and Carl Hardric; and
WHEREAS, having maintained the resolve to worship and serve God by being a blessing and of service to others, St. John has been led by the pastoral guidance of several anointed and Holy Ghost filled proclaimers of the gospel, including Reverend Joseph Dorsett, Reverend O.J. Johnson, Reverend Nathaniel Thornton and Reverend Herman Shropshire, who all equally contributed to the growth and spiritual prosperity of the church, and has been under the ministerial administration of current pastor, Reverend Fairley, since February 2, 1996; and
WHEREAS, St. John Baptist Church continues its journey of reaching souls for the Lord Jesus Christ as it remains a dedicated place of worship for many in the Gulfport community and center for spiritual restoration and outreach offered by its various auxiliaries and ministries operating therein; and
WHEREAS, with excitement, humility and awe, St. John Baptist Church looks back on its past achievements, and with sincere thankfulness acknowledges God's grace and love, which have brought them through the years and have given them triumphant victory; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend outstanding and contributory religious institutions such as St. John Baptist Church, which continues to be a cornerstone in Harrison County, particularly the city of Gulfport, as it strives continuously to promote the spread and growth of the Christian faith through the keeping of the great commission by becoming fishers of men:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the diligence of the pastors and members of St. John Baptist Church on the occasion of the church's 89th year anniversary and extend warmest wishes for continued prosperity, spiritual growth and success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Reverend Fairley on behalf of the St. John Baptist Church congregation and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
