[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 111 (Thursday, September 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING REVEREND C. DALE EDWARDS OF THE O'FALLON ASSEMBLY OF GOD, 
      ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PASTORAL SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 8, 2005

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing Reverend C. Dale Edwards, of the O'Fallon Assembly of 
God, in O'Fallon, Illinois, on the occasion of his 50th Anniversary of 
pastoral service.
  C. Dale Edwards was born in New City, Illinois, a community just 
southeast of the State Capitol of Springfield. During his early years 
on the farm and later, when the family moved to the nearby town of 
Edinburg, his mother always made sure the family faithfully attended 
the Gospel Tabernacle in Edinburg. During those early days at the 
Gospel Tabernacle, Reverend Edwards first realized his calling when, as 
a teenager, he was invited by Pastor Best to preach on occasion.
  An accident in an elevator shaft left Reverend Edwards with a badly 
damaged foot that looked as if it was going to require amputation. 
Through the intervention of a family friend, Reverend Edwards attended 
a revival meeting where his foot was healed. This experience, coupled 
with his preaching at the Gospel Tabernacle, spurred Reverend Edwards 
to apply to North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  While at NCBC, Reverend Edwards became youth pastor in Hopkins, 
Minnesota in 1955, thus beginning the 50 years of pastoral ministry 
that we commemorate today.
  After building congregations in Minnesota, South Dakota and Rock 
Island, Illinois, Reverend Edwards became the Senior Pastor of First 
Assembly of God in Granite City, Illinois where he served from 1974 
through 1991. For the next six years, Reverend Edwards served as the 
Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the Illinois District Assemblies of 
God, where he oversaw the credentialing of all Assembly of God 
ministers in Illinois. In this capacity, he also served as chairman of 
the Illinois District 75th Anniversary Celebration.
  Reverend Edwards and his wife, Dottie, currently reside in O'Fallon, 
Illinois where they serve as Senior Pastors at O'Fallon Assembly of 
God. Reverend Edwards and Dottie have four children, all serving the 
Lord.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of 
appreciation to Reverend Edwards for his 50 years of dedicated ministry 
and to wish him the very best in the future.

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