House Concurrent Resolution 91

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MORRISON HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY, CELEBRATING A RICH LEGACY OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND SPIRITUAL EXCELLENCE.

WHEREAS, birthed on January 5, 1958, when 30 individuals walked down the aisle of a tent owned by Hinds County Baptist Association signifying their intention to help start a mission church in Clinton, Mississippi, and Morrison Heights Baptist Church, officially constituted on June 15, 1958, with 128 charter members under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Jack Butler, will celebrate its 50th anniversary during the weekend of June 13-15, 2008; and

WHEREAS, conducting tent services for a year, before the dedication of its first worship building on June 15, 1959, Morrison Heights, then with 181 members, was well on its way to establishing itself as a vanguard of meeting the spiritual needs of the community, for which it is now known, both domestically and abroad; and

WHEREAS, having fostered a welcoming spirit of community fellowship and service, Morrison Heights, in 1963, established a Christian ministry for families by incorporating a kindergarten program which has grown into the present-day Child Development Center, providing child care and education to more than 200 preschoolers; and

WHEREAS, continually recognized for its mission work to glorify God by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout Clinton, the United States and around the world, Morrison Heights, having grown to become the second largest contributor to missions in the Mississippi Baptist Convention, has received the distinct honor of being named by the Southern Baptist Convention as one of the top 100 churches in North American and International missions; and

WHEREAS, the members of Morrison Heights have remained dedicated to "The Great Commission" of leading individuals of all ages, races, creeds and nationalities to the salvation of Christ with unshakable faith and diligent hearts as workers in the vineyard to have accomplished so much through the years; and

WHEREAS, blessed with a throng of pastors committed to faith, work and kingdom building, the church has continually and progressively prospered under the leadership of such devout and spirit-led men as: Dr. L. Gordon Sansing (February 1958 - May 1958), Rev. Jack Butler (June 1958 - July 1963), Rev. Tom Douglas (October 1963 - April 1964), Rev. Charles Gentry (May 1964 - September 1977), Rev. Robert Wall (January 1978 - May 1978 and July 1986 - October 1986), Dr. Kermit McGregor (June 1978 - December 1984), Dr. James Parker (March 1985 - October 1985), Dr. Ken Alford (October 1986 - October 1993), Dr. Stan Fornea (August 1994 - June 1996), Dr. Harold Bryson (September 1996 - December 1996), Dr. Chuck Register (January 1997 - February 1997), Dr. Hal Kitchings (February 1997 - June 2002), Dr. Fred Wolfe (November 2002 - August 2004), Dr. Bill Hardin (November 2004 - March 2005) and currently under the tutelage and spiritual guidance of Dr. Greg Belser since March 2005; and

WHEREAS, outgrowing its facilities on Morrison Drive, which over the years was expanded to include multiple facilities to accommodate its growing membership, Morrison Heights occupied its new 1,200-seat facility in a dedication ceremony on April 29, 2007, in addition to a 22,000 square-foot Student and College Building, which opened in February 2008; and

WHEREAS, a church that is purposeful in regard to its evangelism efforts, Morrison Heights continues to operate its original campus on Morrison Drive to provide needed ministries in the community, including the Child Development Center, the City of Clinton's first Hispanic congregation, a counseling ministry and a weekday pantry, in addition to the evangelism training, now in its 19th semester, offered at the new location with the FAITH Sunday School, the Evangelism Explosion, Continuous Witness Training and the facilitating of numerous clinics to launch evangelism training in churches throughout the Southeast; and

WHEREAS, in its journey of reaching souls and being good stewards for the Lord Jesus Christ, the pastor, ministers and approximately 3,900 members of Morrison Heights, are credited with the start of Country Woods Baptist Church of Byram and Iglesia Hispana de Clinton; participating with all associational churches in starting Northside and Wildwood Baptist Churches in Clinton; and spearheading Operation Hope for Hurricane Katrina recovery on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, rebuilding 20 homes to date; and

WHEREAS, with excitement, humility and awe, Morrison Heights Baptist Church looks back on its past achievements, and with sincere thankfulness acknowledges God's grace and love, which brought them through 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 Morrison Heights Baptist Church, which continues to be a cornerstone of the Clinton community as it strives unceasingly 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 Morrison Heights Baptist Church on the occasion of the church's 50th anniversary and extend warmest wishes for continued prosperity, spiritual growth and success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Morrison Heights Baptist Church and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.