[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1511-E1512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO PASTOR L.M. THORNE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE SCARBOROUGH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 1996

  Mr. SCARBOROUGH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man of 
great commitment and devotion, Pastor L.M. Thorne. For over 30 years, 
Pastor Thorne has spread God's word to countless individuals while 
enriching the lives of those who know him. He is truly an inspiration 
to us all.
  Pastor Thorne committed himself at a very young age to spreading the 
Gospel of the Lord His formal training began at the Southeastern Bible 
College in Lakeland, FL, where he received a bachelor of theology. He 
then went on to earn a doctor of divinity at the Christian 
International University.
  Pastor Thorne established the Abundant Life Church in Fort Walton 
Beach, FL, and Samson, AL, in the mid-1970's. The Fort Walton Beach 
church boasts an extremely active congregation of over 500 families, 
active not only in the local community, but across the Nation and 
abroad as well. Abundant Life has sent numerous missionaries to the 
foreign

[[Page E1512]]

mission field and eight senior pastors to local churches in the United 
States. The Christian Life School of Theology and the Life Enrichment 
Training School have prepared many Christian men and women led by the 
power of the Holy Spirit to pursue the Christian life.
  Throughout his ministry, Pastor Thorne has remained humble and kept 
his focus on God even as he has been recognized nationally for his 
work. He has ministered at numerous leadership conferences in the 
United States around the world. In addition, Pastor Thorne is a 
district overseer in the Liberty Fellowship of Churches and Ministers 
and is a member of the Evangel Fellowship of Churches and Ministers.
  Mr. Speaker, Pastor Thorne is a shining example of the goodness of 
people. He has indeed made a difference and continues to positively 
influence the lives of so many by spreading the Word of God. Pastor 
Thorne has led the kind of life for which I think we all should strive 
and I thank God for blessing us with his work.

                          ____________________