House Resolution 52

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE REMARKABLE LEGACY OF MINISTERIAL SERVICE, LEADERSHIP AND SPIRITUAL EXCELLENCE OF BISHOP JONATHAN TATE SR. UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS 56TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AS PASTOR OF THE ANOINTED TEMPLE APOSTOLIC CHURCH.

WHEREAS, Bishop Jonathan Tate Sr., pastor and spiritual overseer of The Anointed Temple Apostolic Church in Gulfport, Mississippi, celebrates the auspicious occasion of his 56th year anniversary as pastor of the flock over which God divinely placed him as shepherd on Sunday, February 24, 2019; and

WHEREAS, under the direction of the Holy Ghost, Bishop Tate was installed as Pastor of the then, 19th Street A.O.H. Church of God in 1963, where he emerged along the ranks of Elder, serving under the late Bishop W.T. Phillips, founder of the Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God; and

WHEREAS, resolved to do the work of the Father, Bishop Tate was later appointed as the Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas District Overseer under the late Senior Bishop Jasper Roby, which afforded his gifts and talents as a purveyor of the living gospel to make way for him, as he presently serves as the Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas Diocese Bishop; and

WHEREAS, during his approximate three score tenure, Bishop Tate has fervently embraced dedication to the welfare of others, earning the respect and affection of people from all walks and ages of life, which highlight the many reasons for the accomplishments experienced by The Anointed Temple Apostolic Church under his leadership, including the erection of a new edifice of worship constructed upon 7 acres of land in 1999 and successfully paid off within 5 years of its original ground breaking; and

WHEREAS, having discovered the agape love of God as a young man, Bishop Tate, would soon discover the romantic love of his life when he met and married Shirley Tate, in fulfillment of the words recorded in Proverbs 18:22, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD," and with whom he has embarked upon a lifetime of joyous occasions, which has spanned 63 years and includes the addition of seven children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, equipped with a Master of Theology degree in Biblical Studies, Bishop Tate, who is a Certified Counselor, is considered a notable spiritual leader in the South Mississippi region by government, church and civic leaders, and his revered rapport amongst the affiliates have allowed him to be the recipient of numerous honors, including: the NAACP; the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce; a special Bishop's Award presented by the late Bishop Jasper Roby; and the honor of being featured with his wife and family in a long running commercial for a local bank; and

WHEREAS, Tate's dedication and commitment to excellence extends well beyond traditional religious protocol and exemplifies the true meaning of a faithful servant of God throughout his service, as he has provided a level of religious leadership in his congregation while evidencing an unbiased love and encouragement of all Christians to stand up and be counted for Christ, while seeking the very heart of God; and

WHEREAS, men of faith such as Bishop Tate are rare in these times of social and moral decline in America, but nevertheless, he endeavors to uphold everything that is good and right about this country as an example to every other citizen of what this nation's potential when premised on a firm spiritual foundation and continued demonstration of humility and excellence in his calling as a "Remnant Preacher of the Old Path"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend such outstanding Godly leaders as Bishop Tate, 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 spiritual success of Bishop Jonathan Tate Sr., extend our congratulations in honor of this most auspicious occasion of his 56th pastoral anniversary of The Anointed Temple Apostolic Church, and express our most sincere wishes for continuous blessings and success in all of his future endeavors.

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