MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2017 1st Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Miles

House Concurrent Resolution 2

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING FOREST BAPTIST CHURCH UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY, ACKNOWLEDGING THE CELEBRATION OF 150 YEARS OF DEVOUT FAITH AND SPIRITUAL EXCELLENCE.

     WHEREAS, Forest Baptist Church, which was established on May 12, 1867, during the first conference meeting of the Baptist Church of Christ, and which joined the Mount Pisgah Association on August 3, 1867, proudly anticipates the celebration of the most auspicious occasion of its 150th anniversary on August 26-27, 2017; and

     WHEREAS, under the pastorate of Reverend J.B. Hamblin, the Forest Baptist congregation began worshiping in the Presbyterian Church on the first Sunday of each month until their new sanctuary was completed in 1874, during which period the church simultaneously appointed a committee to meet with the convention at Springfield Church for the purpose of organizing a new association, which was formed and affirmed as the Springfield Association; and

     WHEREAS, well into the early years of the 20th century, the membership of Forest Baptist had increased substantially and experienced continued steady growth, having already witnessed the organization of a Ladies Missionary Society on June 1, 1877, its first Baptist Young People's Union 1897 and joining the Hopewell Association before uniting with the Scott County Association in 1921 and by the end of the year in 1941 the membership had exponentially increased to 530 congregants; and

     WHEREAS, in November 1947, the church voted to exchange property with the S.E. Lackey Memorial Hospital Committee for the construction of a new church, held a ground breaking ceremony on May 16, 1948, and held its first worship service on October 16, 1949, with the additional completed construction of an education building in March 1957, and the church was renovated in 1974 and again in 1992; and

     WHEREAS, the members of Forest Baptist Church maintain an unshakable faith, and have continued to labor as diligent workers in the vineyard to replant, rebuild and continue to walk in the path of spiritual righteousness; and

     WHEREAS, having maintained the resolve to worship and serve God by being a blessing and of service to others, the church has been led by the pastoral guidance of 34 ministers on record, including:  Reverends W.R. Butler, J.B. Hamberlin, W.R. Butler, R.N. Hall, W.P. Carter, W.L. Skinner, C.M. Gordon, J.H. Grundy, J.A. Hackett, Clarence Sansing, W.N. Nathan, G.S. Jenkins, W.H. Thompson, Owen Williams, J.C. Richardson, D.A. Youngblood, W.C. Howard, A.B. Wood,   B.W. Walker, W.L. Holcomb, L.E. Smith, N.F. Davis, Jr., J.F. Brantley, H.D. Smith, Jr., Frank Gunn, Clyde Little, Charles Belt, S.A. (Sonny) Adkins, Gordon Sansing, Jimmy Porter, Scott Fortenberry, Rick Blythe and Joe Pate; and

     WHEREAS, Forest Baptist Church continues its journey of reaching souls for the Lord Jesus Christ as it participates in foreign, national and state missions and is a dedicated place of worship for many in the Gum Springs area; and

     WHEREAS, with excitement, humility and awe, Forest 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 this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding and contributory religious institutions such as Forest Baptist Church, which continues to be a cornerstone of Scott County as it strives continuously to promote the spread and growth of the Christian faith:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the diligence of the pastors and members of Forest Baptist Church on the occasion of the church's 150th 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 Forest Baptist Church and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.