House Concurrent Resolution 18

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE DILIGENCE, SERVICE AND WIDE INFLUENCE OF THE PASTORS AND MEMBERS OF SALEM MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF THE CHURCH'S HISTORIC 157TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, Salem Missionary Baptist Church, one of the oldest African-American churches established in Terry, Mississippi, celebrates the splendid occasion of its 157th church anniversary, acknowledging 157 years of spiritual excellence and devotion; and

WHEREAS, the church was organized in 1865, a few years after the Emancipation Proclamation was passed, and it was initiated by a band of Christians who felt the need to collectively worship as well as offer thanksgiving and praise to God and service to their fellowman; and

WHEREAS, one acre of land was donated by the Lillie family to build an actual sanctuary and the visionary members purchased an additional acre, and Reverend Henry Willis was appointed as Salem's first pastor and was very instrumental in the church's inception, as a small wooden structure served as the place of worship; and

WHEREAS, throughout the church's long and storied history, it has worshipped and served the Lord under the illustrious guidance of many devout pastors, but with the coming of each new devout leader, the Christian message and the members' eagerness to learn and worship the perfect gospel has always remained steadfast; and

WHEREAS, the first choir at Salem Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1899 by Brother J.R.E. Smith, who served as director, and in 1956, Mother Josie Mae Harris organized the Young People's Choir and served as president for 19 years, and her daughter, Shirley Mae Jones, served as pianist/organizer for 38 years and organized the Male Chorus in October 1969; and

WHEREAS, from 1927 through 1964, under the leadership of Reverend E.G. Robinson, the congregation constructed a new stone church and installed pews, and in 1965, under the leadership of Reverend Wroten McQuirter, bricks were added to the church's stone structure, and additional pews, new carpet and an air conditioner were installed; and

WHEREAS, on August 10, 2009, Salem Missionary Baptist Church was destroyed by fire, leaving only the fellowship hall intact, but in 2010, a new sanctuary was constructed at the current location while Sunday School, worship service, and Bible study remained at the fellowship hall; and

WHEREAS, on September 25, 2011, the new sanctuary was dedicated as Salem's new house of worship, and in August 2012, JoAnn Lawrence donated an acre of land for burial ground and the church purchased an additional acre, and in May 2017, another 15 acres was purchased for additional expansion; and

WHEREAS, the evangelism ministry was initiated in September 2012, the prayer ministry in January 2013, and in January 2016, a midday Wednesday Bible study was added in addition to the evening Bible study, and in 2013 and 2014, high quality audio and sound equipment as well as a security system with cameras were added; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Timothy P. Plummer was appointed as interim pastor in February 2020, the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and elected to serve as pastor in September 2021, and during these unprecedented times, several services were moved to a teleconference platform in order to continue serving the needs of the congregation; and

WHEREAS, before becoming pastor of Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. Plummer, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's in business administration and from the New Foundation Theological Seminary with a bachelor's, master's and doctorate degree in theology, and after being baptized at the Second Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Dr. Plummer accepted his calling to the ministry at Belmont Missionary Baptist Church and was licensed under the leadership of Pastor Toney L. Crisler in May 2016; and

WHEREAS, while the community, the congregation and even the landscape have transformed in the past 157 years, Salem Missionary Baptist Church has maintained an urgent devotion to keep the great commandment, fulfill the great commission and practice the Golden Rule; and

WHEREAS, Salem Missionary Baptist Church has been a valued and trusted institution in the Terry community since its inception 157 years ago, withstanding the ever-changing dynamics surrounding it by being firmly rooted and grounded in its biblical principles, and it has continued in the longstanding tradition of empowering countless families and others through the teachings of the fulfillment of the gospel; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding and contributory religious institutions such as Salem Missionary Baptist Church, which remains a cornerstone of the Terry community 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, service and wide influence of the pastors and members of Salem Missionary Baptist Church on the occasion of the church's historic 157th 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 Dr. Timothy P. Plummer and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.