[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 30 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. GRANVILLE A. SEWARD

                                 ______


                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 1996

  Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the 
attention of my colleagues a dedicated leader and servant of the 
people, Rev. Dr. Granville A. Seward. Rev. Dr. Seward is celebrating 
his 28th anniversary as pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 
Newark, NJ.
  Rev. Dr. Granville A. Seward was licensed to preach at the age of 17. 
He accepted the pastorate at the First Baptist Church of Rendville, OH, 
when he was 22. He is a graduate of Ohio State University. He received 
the master of divinity and doctor of divinity degrees from the Colgate 
Rochester Divinity School. Rev. Dr. Seward is a member of the board of 
trustees at the Colgate Rochester/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological 
Seminary.
  For many years Rev. Dr. Seward diligently prepared for his place in a 
changing society. His education and life experiences have been used to 
focus on the topic of his doctoral thesis, ``The New Creation and the 
Emergence of a New Humanity.'' He has pragmatically looked at his 
church and our community and has developed programs that address the 
burgeoning needs of a diverse congregation and community. He has taken 
an active role in our community by serving as a member of the Newark 
Board of Education. He is also the dean of the Open Forum Baptist 
Ministers Conference of Newark and Vicinity.
  Rev. Dr. Seward is the first pastor of Newark's Mt. Zion Baptist 
Church to ordain women deacons. He instituted prayer services at non-
traditional times to better serve our population. He has developed 
feeding and clothing programs for the less fortunate. He implemented 
various types of ministries within Mt. Zion, where ``every member is a 
minister'' is emphasized.
  Mr. Speaker, when we look at the shepherd who is tending his flock 
well, Rev. Dr. Granville A. Seward is among the chosen. I am sure my 
colleagues will join me as I extend my congratulations and best wishes 
to Rev. Dr. Seward, his wife, four children, and two grandchildren.

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