House Resolution 7

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATED SERVICE, SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP AND ECCLESIASTICAL EXCELLENCE REVEREND JAMES PATTERSON PROVIDED AS PASTOR OF FOUNDATION OF LIFE CHURCH AND CHRISTIAN LEARNING CENTER IN THE JEFFRIES CITY COMMUNITY OF LAMAR, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING GRATEFUL APPRECIATION FOR LEADING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN PRAYER ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE 2011 REGULAR SESSION OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, many have been called, but very few have been divinely chosen to boldly proclaim the word of God, to lead the Christian fold into greener pastures of spiritual abundance of enlightenment, as has Reverend James Patterson, Pastor of Foundation of Life Church and Christian Learning Center; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Patterson and his wife, the former Louise Venney, have returned to his childhood home after building the Foundation of Life Church and Christian Learning Center in the Jeffries City community of Lamar, Mississippi, to provide spiritual nourishment, guidance and counsel to a congregation and community thirsting for the knowledge and bountiful blessings of Christianity; and

WHEREAS, designed for the purpose and reason of carrying out God's will as divinely given in vision to Reverend Patterson, the church is built in the fruit orchard where he played as a child; and

WHEREAS, having pastored for 38 years, Reverend Patterson does not boast the accolades of a doctrinal theological degree, but prides himself on the knowledge gained through his spiritual background and experience with God as a preacher and pastor, which can only be afforded to those in holy alignment with the ecclesiastical echelon of religion and spirituality; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Patterson, who speaks very little of his childhood, teems with excitement and complete fulfillment at the mention of his wife and their 10 children, their individual successes in each of their varied professions, including four sons who have followed his enlightened path into the ministry, with two serving as assistant pastors at Foundation of Life Church and Christian Learning Center; and

WHEREAS, men of faith such as Reverend Patterson are rare in these times of social and moral decline in America, but nevertheless serve to uphold everything that is good and right about this country as examples to every citizen of what this nation is capable of being when its spiritual foundation is built on faith in God; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Patterson is active in the community through outreach with a jail ministry and the youth academic department, and expanding his vision with plans to incorporate seminars and training classes for parenting skills, divorce counseling, marriage counseling, family and financial planning and health fair seminars; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize such outstanding Godly leaders as Reverend Patterson, who has dedicated his long and 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 the dedicated service, spiritual leadership and ecclesiastical excellence Reverend James Patterson provided as Pastor of Foundation of Life Church and Christian Learning Center in the Jeffries City community of Lamar, Mississippi, express grateful appreciation for his leading the House of Representatives in prayer on the first day of the 2011 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature and extend most sincere wishes for continued success as he continues to lead his congregation and community as a shining beacon of holiness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Reverend James Patterson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.