[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 39 (Wednesday, April 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. JETHRO WARD GAYLES

                                 ______


                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 1994

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Rev. Dr. Jethro Ward Gayles who passed from this life on March 26, 
1994.
  Dr. Gayles was born November 25, 1922 in Oxford, MS. The 10th child 
of the late Reverend Samuel and Emma Webb Gayles, he completed his high 
school education in Charleston, MO and attended the Western Seminary in 
Kansas City, MO where he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 
business administration. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Gayles moved to 
Chicago, IL. On November 15, 1947, he married the former Ruth Wilson 
and to this union they were blessed with two daughters.
  In June, 1947, Dr. Gayles delivered his first sermon at the Salem 
Baptist Church of Chicago. Dr. Gayles was ordained in the ministry in 
1949. He was called to pastor the Gospel Temple Baptist Church of 
Chicago in 1956. He received his bachelor of theology degree from the 
Chicago Baptist Institute and his doctor of divinity degree from the 
Kansas Bible Teachers College. Dr. Gayles holds a honorary doctor of 
divinity degree from DePaul University.
  An active local and national religious leader, Dr. Gayles was 
formerly president of the Baptist Minister's Conference of Chicago and 
Vicinity, past moderator of the Greater Shiloh Baptist District 
Association of Chicago, member of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago 
Baptist Institute and past first vice president of the Illinois Baptist 
State Convention.
  Dr. Gayles had also served as president of the United Baptist State 
Convention and chairman of the Baptist Minister's Conference of Chicago 
and Vicinity. In addition to his stewardship at the Gospel Temple 
Baptist Church, Dr. Gayles was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist 
Church of Chicago under the leadership of the Rev. Jerry Goodloe.
  Mr. Speaker, the Rev. Dr. Jethro Ward Gayles dedicated his life to 
serving God and others. He was deeply respected and greatly admired. He 
touched the lives of so many men women who aspired to preach and teach 
the Gospel. Dr. Gayles offered hope, wisdom, leadership, and direction 
to all those whose lives crossed his path. I am privileged that in my 
life our paths crossed. I am proud to have known Dr. Gayles and honored 
to enter these words into the Record.

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