House Resolution 76

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING PASTOR DAVID FREEMAN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 20TH ANNIVERSARY AS PASTOR OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

WHEREAS, Pastor David Freeman began his ministerial service to the Ecclesiastical order of the living gospel at First Christian Church in Water Valley, Mississippi, in January 1999, and since that time, he has exceptionally fulfilled his vision to spread the word, meet the needs of people, minister to those who are hurting and touch the City of Water Valley; and

WHEREAS, born on July 22, 1947, in Portsmouth, Ohio, Pastor Freeman attended Central Church of Christ throughout his childhood, accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was just nine years old, and upon his graduation from Portsmouth High School in 1965, he heeded God's calling to share his passion for the unadulterated Word of God, becoming ordained to the Christian ministry by the Central Church of Christ in Portsmouth on December 29, 1968, and graduating from Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1969, with an A.B. Degree; and

WHEREAS, several congregations have been truly blessed by the beautiful sermons of Pastor Freeman, including Glendale Christian Church in Minford, Ohio, from 1969 until 1974; Brentwood Christian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1974 until 1988; Suburban Christian Church in Bristol, Virginia, from 1988 until 1998; and now, First Christian Church in Water Valley; and

WHEREAS, being led by the spirit of God, Pastor Freeman has labored in the vineyards of service at First Christian Church for 20 years, and he has provided a level of religious leadership to his congregations in a variety of capacities that serve as an example to the entire citizenry of the State of Mississippi, of what is best in the human spirit when rooted and grounded in insurmountable belief and faith in God; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Freeman has shown that he truly has a heart for worship as well as his community through numerous outreach efforts and all aspects of the ministry, including preaching, teaching, visitation in homes and hospitals, counseling and working with people of all ages; and

WHEREAS, First Christian Church has truly been propelled forward during Pastor Freeman's 20-year tenure, and in addition to being the pastor of First Christian Church, he is a devoted husband to Mrs. Mary Margaret Scruggs Freeman and a loving and doting father to Andy and his wife Elaine, and a wonderful grandfather to Maggie; and

WHEREAS, always poised to be positioned to help those most in need, men of faith of Pastor Freeman's caliber are truly remarkable and uphold everything righteous about a country that has its very founding premised upon spiritual foundation in God as the sovereign Deity; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize such outstanding, godly leaders as Pastor Freeman, who has dedicated his distinguished career to bringing many souls to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Pastor David Freeman on the occasion of his 20th anniversary as Pastor of First Christian Church, and extend heartiest wishes for God's continuous blessings and success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Pastor David Freeman and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.