[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 24 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRATULATIONS TO BISHOP MICHAEL LUNSFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2006

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I would like to note that 
Michael R. Lunsford, a constituent of mine from Taunton, Massachusetts, 
recently celebrated the first anniversary of being elevated to the 
position of Bishop within the International Fellowship of Reformed 
Episcopal Churches, previously known as the International Fellowship of 
Reformed Episcopal, Pentecostal Churches of the Syro-Atiochan Rite.
  While this marks an important milestone for Bishop Lunsford and for 
the members of his congregation, I believe it is also important for the 
broader community to be aware of the many ways in which he has 
contributed to improving the lives of Taunton residents, and improving 
the quality of life in the greater Taunton area. Indeed, he offers an 
excellent example of the way in which clerics contribute to their 
communities simultaneously on two levels: as spiritual leaders for the 
members of their particular houses of worship or faiths, but also as 
participants in important community efforts to address social concerns 
that go beyond the doors of their own houses of worship. It is from 
that perspective that I would like to acknowledge the valuable services 
Bishop Lunsford has performed--and continues to perform--for Taunton 
and its environs, and also overseas (obviously, in this case, the term 
``community'' has a much more expansive meaning than we sometimes give 
it).
  Bishop Lunsford moved to Taunton in 1983 with his wife, when he took 
on the position of pastor at the Crossroads Christian Center. He has 
been active in area religious and civic affairs since that time. From 
its inception in 1987, he has been an advisor to Barnabas Ministries, 
an international missionary organization that has provided 
encouragement and training to thousands of pastors in more than 27 
developing countries throughout the world. He was also the founder of 
two local human service programs: Eagles Nest, an after school program 
established in 1998 that focuses on tutoring, reading programs and 
other youth services; and The Lord Cares Food Program, which began in 
1993 and provides nutrition assistance to needy families by means of 
donations and volunteer work. He was also the founder in 2001 of 
Crossroads International, a multi-racial ministry headquartered in 
Taunton, with branches in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode 
Island and Port Limon, Costa Rica. Crossroads International works on 
promoting business development, youth empowerment and anti-drug 
initiatives, among other efforts.
  Bishop Lunsford is also on the board of Youth Challenge 
International, an anti-drug abuse organization, and is a member of 
numerous local human service and community boards, including Taunton 
Cares, Pro Home, Taunton Emergency Task Force, Community Counseling, 
Greater Taunton Clergy, and the Department of Mental Health.
  Because his work is very much in the American tradition of combining 
spiritual and community leadership, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Michael R. Lunsford on his many contributions to 
Taunton, his elevation to the position of Bishop and his ongoing 
commitment to helping less fortunate people around the world.

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