IV 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 326 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 22, 2011 Ms. Waters submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Honoring Bishop Noel Jones for his 17 years of service to the City of Refuge Church.

Whereas, on June 15, 2011, Bishop Noel Jones will celebrate his 17th pastoral anniversary; Whereas Bishop Jones inspires a growing membership of 17,000 people 5 times a week to become invigorated and transformed members of the faith community through his unique and powerful message; Whereas at the age of 26, Bishop Jones accepted his first pastorate at Bethel Temple of Longview in Longview, Texas; Whereas in June 1994, Bishop Jones was chosen to succeed Bishop Robert W. McMurray as Shepherd to approximately 1,000 members of Greater Bethany Community church in South Central Los Angeles, California; Whereas during his tenure, the membership of the City of Refuge church grew exponentially resulting in a new house of worship being acquired in 2003; Whereas as a noted Pastor and Evangelist, he has consistently recognized the importance of cultivating integrity, commitment, and faith within the community; Whereas through his dedication to ministering the power of God, Bishop Jones became a featured columnist within the Nation's premiere gospel publication, Gospel Today Magazine; Whereas Bishop Jones is a frequent guest on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and appearing as a panelist on both C–SPAN and NPR; Whereas in 1994, Bishop Jones founded Noel Jones Ministries (NJM), formerly known as Jesus Alternative Ministries, in an effort to address religion's inability to offer relevance to the changing climate of the times; Whereas Noel Jones Ministries focuses on spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through the Word through media resources which are currently on Inspiration Network during his Fresh Oil broadcast; Whereas through his dedicated service and commitment to Los Angeles, Bishop Jones has traveled across the world, preaching, lecturing, teaching, encouraging, and strengthening the faith of people across the globe from London to Africa and back to the United States; Whereas through his writings and keen insight, Bishop Jones has been featured in a host of publications worldwide, and has most recently published the book The Battle for the Mind; Whereas Bishop Jones has served on the board of directors as a resident Bishop for the California District Council 16th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.; Whereas Bishop Jones was honored by the Mayor of Syracuse, New York, for aiding in the establishment of a City-Wide Crusade Day which includes a multicultural, nondenominational conference encouraging the participation of all Syracuse and central New York residents; and Whereas through his ministry, including rehabilitative programs and dedicated ministries for the deaf, artists, singles, the incarcerated, youth, and young adults in addition to providing social avenues for Christians, Bishop Jones serves as an inspiration the community: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives honors Bishop Noel Jones on the occasion of his 17th pastoral anniversary and his philanthropy, service, and social justice efforts in Los Angeles, California.