[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 16, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BELLAIRE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2000

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the First Baptist 
Church of Bellaire for 60 years of service.
  The First Baptist Church of Bellaire is proud of its reputation as a 
church where congregants can worship in a friendly atmosphere that is 
especially supportive of families.
  Established in 1940, First Baptist Church of Bellaire now exceeds 500 
members who participate in the various musical programs, youth and 
children's ministries, activities for seniors and singles, support of 
foreign missions, and more. One to its finest ministries is the 
Bellaire Christian Academy, which takes students from pre-kindergarten 
to 8th grade.
  The First Baptist Church of Bellaire is affiliated with the Southern 
Baptist Convention, which supports 4,000 international missionaries. It 
is also affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and 
the Houston-area Union Baptist Association. More than ten percent of 
the church's annual budget is dedicated to the support of missionaries.
  The driving force behind much of what goes on at the first Baptist 
church of Bellaire is Pastor Frank D. Minton of Wichita, Kansas. Pastor 
Minton came out of pastoral retirement from the First Baptist Church of 
Anchorage, Alaska to join the First Baptist Church of Bellaire in 1995. 
He has put First Baptist Church of Bellaire on the move. The Church 
building has a new look, a new orchestra in the Worship Service, and 
increased children's and outreach ministries.
  His credentials include a Bachelor of Business Administration and 
Master of Divinity from the University of Oklahoma, and another Master 
of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort 
Worth. His book, ``Baseball's Sermon on the Mound,'' published by 
Broadman Press, combines his seminary training with his baseball 
experience. He has also served or led assorted pastors' conferences and 
outreach programs. Minton and his wife, Joyce, have four and 12 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, our community institutions are only as strong as its 
members, and the members of the First Baptist Church of Bellaire have 
in a short sixty years established a very important cornerstone of the 
Greater Bellaire Community. I congratulate all the members of the First 
Baptist Church of Bellaire on their 60th anniversary.

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