Senate Resolution 32

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING, CONGRATULATING AND HONORING THE CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP OF DR. KARA BLACKARD, PASTOR OF WHEELER GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH IN CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE PASTORATE.

WHEREAS, we join the Congregation of Wheeler Grove Baptist Church in Corinth, Mississippi, in honoring a faithful Christian steward; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Kara Blackard has faithfully served as Pastor of Wheeler Grove Baptist Church for 38 years and prior to that, as Pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Union County, Mississippi, for over eight years; and

WHEREAS, he has served as President of the Mississippi Baptist Pastors' Conference and as Vice President of the Mississippi State Convention, and has preached over 500 revivals and numerous conferences in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Belize; and

WHEREAS, as a result of his ministry, thousands have come to faith in Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, in the course of his ministry, he has faithfully visited the sick, comforted the bereaved, counseled the hurting, prayed while others slept, traveled dark roads to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ while his congregations remained safe at home; and

WHEREAS, he remained instant in season and out of season, has made full proof of his ministry, has been an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Blackard, as a good soldier of the Cross of Christ, has fought the good fight, kept the faith and has pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus; and

WHEREAS, he has co-labored and enjoyed the unfailing support of his wife of 57 years, Linda Annette Robbins Blackard; and

WHEREAS, we are confident that the future will find him continuing to share the gospel within an even wider sphere of influence and we share this important day in the life of a community-leading congregation in Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we commend and congratulate Dr. Kara Blackard and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to Dr. Blackard and his family on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Kara Blackard, Wheeler Grove Baptist Church, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.