House Concurrent Resolution 30

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING PEARL STREET AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY, ACKNOWLEDGING THE CELEBRATION OF 150 YEARS OF DEVOUT FAITH AND SPIRITUAL EXCELLENCE.

WHEREAS, the Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church, a historic foundation established in Jackson, Mississippi, that first laid roots at the corner of Clifton and Pearl Streets, will celebrate the splendid occasion of its 150th church anniversary; and

WHEREAS, throughout the church's history, it has worshipped and served the Lord under the illustrious guidance of many devout reverends, the first of whom was Reverend Thomas W. Stringer, who organized the church and began its remarkable history in 1865; and

WHEREAS, the church was first anointed with the moniker Foley Chapel, after one of its first pastors, Reverend Hugh Miller Foley; and

WHEREAS, in 1899, the building was christened with a new name, Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church, under the pastorate of Reverend James E. Carter, and yet amid the many changes, the message and eagerness to spread the perfect word of God has always remained constant; and

WHEREAS, as Reverend G.R. Haughton was appointed pastor in 1956, a new vision for a greater Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church took on life, as Reverend Haughton initiated the proceedings to purchase property at 925 West Pearl Street and erect a building unlike any other where all of Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church's faithful and committed members could come and worship the great and powerful Lord God Almighty who had blessed them with such an immaculate fellowship of Christian believers; and

WHEREAS, after the great structure was erected, members began attending the new edifice, which was dedicated on April 30, 1961, and served and worshipped under three pastors, Reverend Thomas Benjamin Brown, Jr., Reverend Lorenzo Clarke and Reverend Johnny Barbour, Jr., until 1987; and

WHEREAS, in 1985, Reverend Johnny Barbour, Jr., who was the longest serving pastor, became reverend and remained pastor for 15 years, and led the charge with divine insight and spiritual leadership to purchase property, which was valued at Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars, for its current location at 2519 Robinson Street; and

WHEREAS, as the Bible teaches in Romans, Chapter 13, Verse 8, "Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that hath loveth another hath fulfilled the law," the church, through its dutiful, hard-working, and selfless parishioners, was able to jubilantly burn the mortgage a mere ten years after purchasing the property; and

WHEREAS, the church's release from the burdening debt was commemorated in an unforgettable burning ceremony that was filled with love and praise and thankfulness to the Lord God on High and led by Bishop Donald G.K. Ming, who was the bishop of the Eighth Episcopal District when the property was purchased ten years previously; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, the great and wise Right Reverend C. Garnett Henning, Sr., appointed the pure and proficient Reverend Dr. Samuel H. Boyd, Sr., a native of Jackson, Mississippi, who had previously served for ten years as reverend of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Orleans, Louisiana, to direct the renowned and steadfast members of the awe-inspiring Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church, who are recognized and celebrated throughout Mississippi for their unwavering devotion to the one true God; and

WHEREAS, not only has Reverend Boyd led the church in a great revival of prayer, faith and healing since being called to lead Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church, but as he enters his 15th year as reverend, he has also increased the membership tenfold with an influx of 375 new members attending Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church to worship and serve the all powerful and all knowing Savior under Reverend Boyd's dexterous and expert guidance; and

WHEREAS, in following the Good Book, that is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path and commands in the Book of Psalms, Chapter 105, Verse 2, "Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works," the Reverend Boyd was instrumental in developing the music ministry at Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church, which has flourished and expanded with the inclusion of an instrumental ensemble and a women's choir that performs for 5th Sunday services; and

WHEREAS, knowing that the human body is a temple that is destined to be utilized for glorifying and exalting the Creator, the church has instituted the Healthy Temple program, which is designed to concentrate on exercise and overall fitness, and the Evening Stars program for senior citizens, to ensure the health and wellness of all of its members so that they may go on living and praising the Great God Almighty; and

WHEREAS, because of an ingenious idea inaugurated by the Reverend Boyd suggesting that ten percent of the weekly tithes from the church offerings are donated back to the church tithing account, the church has been able to raise over One Million Dollars; and

WHEREAS, the money from the tithing system raised by the diligent and meticulous members of the Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church congregation has been used to purchase a Habitat for Humanity home for a needy and deserving family and five houses to function as rental homes, to install several necessary updates and renovations to the church grounds and facilities, purchase a new church bus, and a new media center, which has helped foster a media ministry to envelop even more people thirsting to hear the Word of God; and

WHEREAS, after 150 years of dedication to the immaculate Lord and Savior, the Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church continues to grow and harvest new souls for the Lord as a stronghold and a source of spiritual empowerment for her members, the citizens of Jackson, Mississippi, and the surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, with excitement, humility and awe, Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church looks back on its past achievements, and with sincere thankfulness acknowledges God's grace and love, which have brought them through the 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 Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church, which continues to be a cornerstone of Hinds County and the Jackson 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 of the reverends and members of Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church on the occasion of the church's historic 150th 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 Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.