[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E765]]
                TRIBUTE TO THE REVEREND DR. JOHN ROBERTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 26, 2005

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the Reverend Dr. 
John Roberts of Toledo for his 40 years of service in Jesus Christ. Our 
community will join his congregation in celebration of this milestone 
on April 3, 2005.
  Born in Bryant, Mississippi on March 9, 1927 to George and Melvina 
Roberts, John E. Roberts came to Toledo, Ohio in 1944. Here he attended 
Libbey and Scott High Schools. When Indiana Avenue Baptist Church was 
organized in 1946 he was there, and has been active in the church ever 
since. Prior to his ordination in 1964, Pastor Roberts served his 
church as custodian, Sunday school teacher, choir member, Trustee Board 
Secretary, and Deacon. After receiving his ordination, Pastor Roberts 
preached his first service at the church he helped to organize on the 
3rd Sunday of January 1965. Even while Pastor, he pursued his Bachelor 
of Arts and Bachelor of Religious Education degrees in 1975, his Master 
of Theology in 1984, and his Doctorate in Biblical Theology in 1985. 
All of this, in addition to working a second job in order to contribute 
to the financing of the church structure. Pastor Roberts truly has led 
his congregation by example, and he acknowledges that his achievements 
were obtained under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
  Pastor Roberts' tenure at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church has been most 
noteworthy. Under his leadership, the Christian Board of Education was 
organized and so were the Junior Church, Couples Fellowship, Singles 
Fellowship, Widows Fellowship, Recreation Department, Youth Department 
and Young Adult Department. He has ministered, counseled, taught and 
led a congregation numbering in the thousands. It has been noted that 
Pastor Roberts ``has opened the eyes of many who were stumbling in 
spiritual darkness and led them to the light through the study of the 
Word of God.'' His theological mastery is complemented by an 
extraordinary sense of humor and good nature that lifts the spirits of 
all people whom he encounters. He is a man of God walking among all the 
people.
  A strong and much respected community leader, Pastor Roberts is also 
an active participant in the Toledo Public Schools PTA, International 
Ministerial Alliance, Baptist Ministers Conference, and NAACP Lifetime 
Member. He has also served on the Boards of the Urban League, the J. 
Frank Troy Senior Citizens Center, and the Frederick Douglass Community 
Center and served on the Interracial Coalition Committee and the co-
chaired the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Task Force Council. His opinion 
and counsel are highly valued, and he has been asked by civic leaders 
both past and present to serve on many special commissions.
  Despite his community and church commitments, Pastor Roberts' first 
devotion is to his wife and family. He credits much of his success to 
his wife, Bernice, to whom he has been married for 55 years. Together 
they have raised three sons and have five grandchildren.
  It is impossible to characterize the life of so great a man into a 
few short lines of a Record entry. Perhaps no finer tribute may be made 
than that of the belief of those who know him best that Pastor Roberts 
is ``a man sent by God to lift men's faith, hope, and love.''

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