House Resolution 69

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING BISHOP DR. ARNOLD STANTON, SR., FOR REACHING SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES WHILE FAITHFULLY SERVING IN THE MINISTRY.

WHEREAS, Bishop Dr. Arnold Stanton, Sr., is the pastor, teacher and founder of New Life Cathedral of Worship in Hazlehurst, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stanton was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, as the 13th of 14 children to the late L.Z. and Lovie Stanton; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Stanton accepted his glorious call to the ministry in April 1974, and preached his first sermon in May 1974, beginning an impressive tenure of helping people find the Lord; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stanton married the love of his life, Lillie Deleace Jackson, on August 13, 1977, becoming committed partners in life as well as partners in the ministry and this union brought into this world four children, Cedra Stanton-Smith, Arnold Stanton II, Aubrey and Chelsea; and two grandchildren, Kevin Smith, Jr., and Laylah Stanton; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Stanton has faithfully served the ministry in Hazlehurst for over 30 continuous years, beginning his ministerial duties at Greater Damascus Church; and

WHEREAS, after hearing the call of God, Dr. Stanton left his denominational base to birth a new ministry, when he founded New Life Evangelical Christian Fellowship Church in Hazlehurst on January 1, 1995; and

WHEREAS, he was appointed as the Regional Overseer for the Southern Region of the International Network of Affiliated Ministries (INAM) in 1997 and was later consecrated as a bishop in 1999 under the covering of Bishop E.L. Warren of Quincy, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Stanton changed the name of the church to New Life Cathedral of Worship in 2000; and

WHEREAS, along with his devoted wife, Pastor Lillie Stanton, Bishop Stanton began missionary trips to South Africa in September 2009, organized and established New Life International Fellowship Empowerment Network (NLIFE Network), which now serves as a spiritual covering for over 75 churches and ministries in South Africa, Nigeria, the Philippines as well as within the United States; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stanton is a member of the Association of Independent Ministries (AIM) and under the mentorship and leadership of Bishop Dr. I.V. Hilliard and Dr. Bridget Hilliard of the New Light Christian Center Church, located in Houston, Texas, where, in February 2008, he was selected to serve on the College of Bishops; and

WHEREAS, 2014 was an exciting and remarkable year for Dr. Stanton, as he reached two remarkable milestones, his 60th birthday and his 40th year in the ministry, and then started 2015 in resounding fashion, as the 20th year anniversary of the founding of New Life Cathedral of Worship was celebrated in January; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the selfless service of individuals such as Bishop Dr. Arnold Stanton, Sr., who honor the Lord and his people through their profound contributions to this state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend Bishop Dr. Arnold Stanton, Sr., for the spiritual blessings that he has bestowed on the people of this state and upon reaching a multitude of significant milestones in his ministry service and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Bishop Dr. Arnold Stanton, Sr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.