A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Dr. Ted A. Sherrill, Pastor of First Baptist Church Georgetown, ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER forty-three YEARS OF faithful ministry, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED blessings AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Dr. Ted A. Sherrill will begin a well-deserved retirement after forty-three years as an outstanding minister, the last twenty-three of which have been as the devoted and highly regarded pastor of First Baptist Church Georgetown; and

Whereas, he earned a bachelor's degree from Clemson University in 1982 and a Master of Divinity in 1986 and a Doctor of Ministry in 1999, both from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and

Whereas, during Dr. Sherrill's years as a student at Clemson, he began ministry at First Baptist Church Greer as the director for youth, activities, and senior adults from 1980 to 1983.  After he completed seminary, he served as the pastor of St. Matthews Baptist Church from 1986 to 1990 and pastor of Pierpont Baptist Church from 1990 to 2000; and

Whereas, under his ministry at First Baptist Church (FBC) Georgetown, the church experienced tremendous growth both biblically and numerically.  Over four hundred believers have publicly expressed their faith in baptism, and the average post-Covid attendance is three hundred fifty; and

Whereas, under Dr. Sherrill's leadership, FBC Georgetown began the F.A.I.T.H. Evangelism Outreach Ministry which has enabled the church to meet families who visit the services, as well as maintain connections with current members through cards and visits.  This ministry sends teams into the community to share the Gospel message and to help the church stay connected to those who are homebound, recuperating at home from recent illness or hospital stays, and others who may not have opportunity to stay connected over long periods due to health or other related concerns; and

Whereas, his deep concern for the spiritual welfare of children led him to establish AWANA, Trail Life USA for Boys, and UPWARD Sports in basketball and soccer.  AWANA is a ministry for children that teaches them to hide God's Word in their hearts though Bible memorization, games, crafts, and missional studies.  Trail Life USA is a church-based, Christ-centered, boy-focused mentoring and discipleship journey for boys.  With timeless values from the Bible and set in the context of outdoor adventure, boys from kindergarten through twelfth grade are engaged in a troop setting by male mentors where they are challenged to grow in character, understand their purpose, serve their community, and develop practical leadership skills to carry out the mission for which they were created; and

Whereas, UPWARD Sports helped FBC Georgetown to reach the community with the Gospel, and hundreds of children were given definitive skills in basketball and soccer that carried many on to teams through high school and beyond.  Many families connected to the church through membership because of connections made through this outreach ministry to their children; and

Whereas, together with his beloved wife, Ann, he has reared two fine children, John and Jennifer, who have blessed him with the affection of three loving grandchildren.  He plans to spend happy hours of retirement with his family; and

Whereas, grateful for his more than four decades as a servant-leader in the Baptist community, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to Ted Sherill as he transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the unhurried pace of the days ahead, and the members wish him many years of enjoyment in his well-earned retirement.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dr. Ted A. Sherrill, Pastor of First Baptist Church Georgetown, on his retirement after forty-three years of faithful ministry, and wish him continued blessings and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Ted A. Sherrill.

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