MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Jordan

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. JAMES ALVIN BOYD FOR THE WONDERFUL ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HIS 33-YEAR MINISTRY AT ZION GATE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, through the help of God and Dr. James Alvin Boyd and his family, Zion Gate Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Mississippi, has prospered and is known across the country; and

WHEREAS, James Alvin Boyd was the eighth child born to Reverend Garfield, Sr., and Mrs. Alberta Boyd. James Alvin Boyd was born on July 30, 1941, in Oktibbeha County; James Alvin Boyd attended Sand Creek Elementary School in Starkville, Mississippi, where he completed Grades 1 through 8. He graduated from the Oktibbeha Training School, later named Henderson High School. He was admired because of his academic achievements and his leadership abilities. Whether playing in the band or presiding as class president, James Alvin Boyd's qualities for greatness were being developed; and

WHEREAS, growing up in a Christian home, James knew the Lord from a very early age. He was active in his local church, First John Missionary Baptist Church; he traveled with his father to attend the local District Congress and Associations, State Congress and Convention. It was during those early years that James heard the voice of God, but refused to accept His calling. After his father's death, James surrendered to the call of God and preached his first public sermon in April of 1960; after high school, James continued his education at Stillman College where he graduated in 1964. James returned home and was united in holy matrimony to the former Kathrene Peterson; and

WHEREAS, Dr. and Mrs. Boyd have been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Sandra Boyd and DeWanda (Ross) Crawford, both of Starkville, Mississippi; they also have three fine grandsons, James, Steven and Evan; and

WHEREAS, in 1965, James Alvin Boyd entered the pastoral field. He became pastor of Zion Gate Missionary Baptist Church and El Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Mississippi; in 1970, again hearing the voice of God, he resigned as an English professor in the Columbus School System and pastor of El Bethel Missionary Church to become full-time pastor of Zion Gate Missionary Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, for the past thirty-three years the ministry of Dr. James Alvin Boyd has blessed this church, this city, this state and this nation; and

WHEREAS, under Dr. James Alvin Boyd the church has pilgrimaged from "Egypt" and on its way to our "Canaan," has accomplished the following: new sanctuary built; educational facilities added; land purchased; parking lot paved; computer system installed; Zion Apartment Complex purchased; three worship services: 8:00 A.M., 10:45 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.; two nursing home ministries: Vineyard Court Nursing Home and Aurora Australis Lodge; two television ministries: WCBI Channel 4 (Columbus, Mississippi) and Northland Cable Channel 8 (Starkville, Mississippi); two radio ministries: WACR 1050 AM (Columbus, Mississippi) and WSEL 96.7 FM (Pontotoc, Mississippi); video and audio ministries; and thirty ministers accepted their call to preach; and

WHEREAS, Dr. James Alvin Boyd serves on local, state and national levels: board member - National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.; President - Northeast Mississippi Baptist State Convention, Inc.; past President - Northeast Mississippi Baptist State S.S. and N.B.C. Congress; Trustee Chairman - Ministerial Institute and College; Homiletic instructor - Ministerial Institute and College; Lecturer - Mt. Olivet District Association; Evangelist - revivals, seminars and conferences across the nation; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this minister who has brought such positive leadership to his church, community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Dr. James A. Boyd for the wonderful accomplishments of his 33-year ministry at Zion Gate Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Mississippi, and wish him, his family and his congregation success in their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Boyd and his family, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.