Senate Concurrent Resolution 545

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE EXEMPLARY MINISTERIAL CAREER AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP OF PASTOR SONNY ADKINS OF MENDENHALL, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING THE BEST WISHES OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, in 1955, at the age of 20, Sonny Adkins answered the call to be a Minister of the Gospel. He was licensed at Oakvale Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Prentiss High School, he received degrees from William Carey College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, at the age of 21, he was called to his first pastorate at Avery Baptist Church in Greene County. Other Mississippi pastorates were: Centerville Baptist Church in Tylertown, Edna Baptist Church in Columbia, Calvary Baptist Church in Silver Creek, Rocky Creek Baptist Church in Lucedale, Newhebron Baptist Church and Forest Baptist Church. He also pastored Spring Hill Avenue Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, besides pastoring, Sonny was in full-time vocational Evangelism for 8 years and was Evangelism Director of the Mississippi Baptist Convention for 8 years. He has also done numerous interim pastorates; and

WHEREAS, Sonny's preaching has led him all over the United States and in the Countries of Brazil and Venezuela in South America, Zimbabwe in Africa, and Japan; and

WHEREAS, besides being active in associational and state convention activities, Sonny has been very active in community activities wherever he and his wife, Jean, lived. He served leadership roles in Civitan, Lions and Rotary Clubs; and

WHEREAS, Sonny and Jean have been married for 54 years. They have two sons, Scott and Eric, and four grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Adkins has been a respected advocate for the less fortunate among us and an example to others of how to live your convictions with courage; and it is with great pride that we pay tribute to this most public-spirited spiritual leader of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the exemplary ministerial career and civic leadership of Pastor Sonny Adkins of Mendenhall, Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Pastor Adkins and his family and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.