MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Ellis

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING REVEREND J. D. JOHNSON FOR HIS YEARS OF PASTORAL SERVICE. 

WHEREAS, Reverend J.D. Johnson took the first step to being a servant of God when he expressed his belief in Jesus Christ and was baptized at Sixteenth Section Baptist Church under Pastor G. E. Miller; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Johnson was chosen by God to preach the Gospel sometime around 1945 at Sixteenth Section Church under Pastor O.J. Turner; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Johnson enrolled in the American Baptist Theological Seminary on White Creek Pike in Nashville, Tennessee, where he studied from 1946 until he graduated in 1949; and

WHEREAS, after coming back to his home in Starkville, Reverend Johnson began climbing the steps of pastoring and what better place to start than around home which was at Muldrow Baptist Church in Starkville, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Johnson moved on to pastor Pilgrim Grove in 1957 and remained pastor there until February 2, 1997, and during his tenure at Pilgrim Grove, he also pastored at other churches which included Mt. Olivet of Aberdeen, and then moved on to Rocky Hill, Louisville; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Johnson later went on to pastor Pleasant Grove Pool's before returning to his home church, Sixteenth Section Baptist Church, where he pastored for seventeen years, and in keeping in his path of pastoring God's children, Reverend Johnson stepped into pastoring at Third Mt. Olive where he remained until November 1983; and

WHEREAS, under Reverend Johnson's leadership at Pilgrim Grove M. B. Church, the congregation purchased the adjoining property to the church, renovated and added to the existing building, had more people to tithe than ever before, started having worship service twice a month instead of once a month, started having Wednesday night Bible Class, increased the number of choirs from one to four, established a Young Matrons organization and expanded the church's affiliation with the Congresses and Conventions; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend excellence, especially when it is exhibited by the state's spiritual leaders:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Reverend J. D. Johnson for his many years of pastoral service.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Reverend J. D. Johnson and the members of the Capitol Press Corps.