[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2251-E2252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING REVEREND DR. ERIC R. FIGUEROA, SR. BISHOP-DESIGNATE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Dr. Eric R. 
Figueroa, Sr. Bishop-Designate. A man of vision, devotion and tireless 
service to others in the spirit of God.
  Reverend Dr. Eric R. Figueroa, Sr. was born on February 15, 1954 in 
New York, NY and is the oldest of three children born to Elder Ronald 
L. Figueroa and Mother Minnie M. Figueroa. He is the husband of 
Evangelist Doreen Figueroa for 23 years, and the father of three 
anointed and marvelously gifted children, Timiney, Anaysha and Eric Jr.

[[Page E2252]]

  Reverend Dr. Figueroa is a graduate of Boys High School, Hunter 
College and Manhattan Bible Institute with honors. In his continued 
pursuit of academic and spiritual excellence, he received a Doctorate 
in Divinity from the National Theological Seminary of the Commonwealth 
University of St. Louis, Missouri and a Doctorate of Theology from the 
St. Paul Bible Institute.
  As a child, Rev. Figueroa enjoyed the benefit of a spiritual 
nurturing environment--living in a household surrounded by Spirit 
filled believers. His spiritual renaissance occurred at the 
Institutional Church of God in Christ under the Pastorate of Bishop 
Carl E. Williams, Sr. While at Institutional, he worked in numerous 
positions serving the Savior and the church well.
  Acknowledging his call to the ministry in August of 1976, the 
inevitable happened, he followed in the lineage of his grandfather, the 
late Reverend David A. Figueroa, Sr., Pastor of the Mount Zion 
Pentecostal Faith Church and his father, Reverend Ronald Figueroa, 
Assistant Pastor of the New Life Tabernacle, making him the third 
generation of preachers. In 1978 he was ordained as an Elder by Bishop 
Carl E. Williams, Pastor of the Institutional Church of God in Christ 
International.
  The Reverend's unique and inclusionary character and ministry forged 
interdenominational relationships that transcended traditional 
religious barriers, walls and spiritual stereotypes in an effort to 
advance the Kingdom of God. His skillful presentation of the Gospel and 
his sense of civil and community duty has brought him to the attention 
and demand of many distinguished religious and political organizations 
who have benefited from his expertise.
  In January 1998, the Presiding Prelate, his Eminence, Bishop Carl E. 
Williams Sr. and the Board of Bishops of the Church of God in Christ 
International, officially proclaimed Reverend Dr. Eric R. Figueroa Sr. 
as Bishop-Designate in the Lord's Church.
  After several years of fruitful Evangelistic Ministry, Dr. Figueroa 
organized and founded the New Life Crusade Ministry in 1981. As this 
phase of ministry developed it was evident that God had higher heights 
destined for the ministry. In 1983 God gave Rev. Figueroa a vision for 
a church called New Life Tabernacle. On August 21, 1983 New Life 
Tabernacle was founded with seven members dedicated unto the Lord. Over 
the past 15 years New Life Tabernacle has grown in numbers, exceeding a 
membership of 400.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle 
to join me in saluting Reverend Doctor Eric R. Figueroa, Sr. Bishop-
Designate.

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