[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DR. G. DAVID HORTON, PASTOR OF GREATER NEW BETHEL 
                             BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2006

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of our 
community's indefatigable church leaders, Rev. Dr. G. David Horton, 
Pastor of Greater New Bethel Baptist Church, as he celebrates his 27th 
Pastoral Anniversary.
  Rev. Horton is married to Modena Smith Horton and is the father of 
five sons: Gregory, Eldrick, Reginald, Michael, and Thomas, and one 
daughter, Ava Rena.
  Rev. Horton represents the vocation of a Good Shepherd who attends to 
his flock in ways we can never understand. As pastor and teacher, he 
exudes the knowledge and pragmatism of a visionary who goes about 
teaching the ways of God. He has tirelessly worked to enlighten our 
community on the agenda of spiritual wisdom and good governance, 
impacting our duties and responsibilities to the less fortunate.
  I want to commend his tremendous work in guiding not only the members 
of Greater New Bethel Baptist Church, but also the members of the 
larger community. Through the longevity of his pastorate, he has truly 
persevered in showing us the Way and expounding for us the Truth that 
emanates from the teachings of the Gospels.
  Having completed his religious studies at the Easonian Theological 
Seminary in Birmingham, Alabama, he went on to pursue and obtain his 
Doctorate of Ministry from the South Florida Center for Theological 
Studies. In the midst of his studies, he continued to serve as the CEO 
of Bethel's Family Life Center and Bethel's Child Care Center. He 
emphasizes the sanctity of the family and the importance of responding 
to the needs of children. This commitment truly underscores his 
unshakeable belief that ``. . . the ruin of a nation starts in the 
homes of its people.''
  Rev. Horton continues to be involved in the Baptist Church on both 
the state and national level. He is currently Moderator of the Seaboard 
Baptist Association, Inc. and President of the Moderator Auxiliary, 
Florida General Baptist State Convention, Inc. He has previously served 
in several other capacities within the Seaboard Baptist Association and 
the State Congress of Christian Education.
  Rev. Horton's timely and persevering leadership at Greater New Bethel 
Baptist Church for 27 years is genuinely admirable. As a man of God and 
as a deeply spiritual leader immersed in Scriptural commitment, he has 
earned our deepest respect and commendation.
  This is the legacy of Rev. Dr. G. David Horton. I am truly privileged 
in thanking him for his many years of service. My pride in sharing his 
friendship is only exceeded by my utmost gratitude for everything he 
has sacrificed on behalf of our community. He continues to teach us to 
live by the noble ethic of loving God by serving our fellow man.

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