[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 46 (Friday, March 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DR. LEVI C. CHAVOUS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 16, 2007

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Reverend Dr. 
Levi C. Chavous on the occasion of his retirement as Pastor of 
Ridgewood Baptist Church in Columbia, SC.
  Reverend Chavous began his tenure at Ridgewood in 1967, becoming the 
church's third pastor. Throughout his 40 years of continuous service, 
Reverend Chavous has demonstrated extraordinary faith and leadership to 
the church, the Ridgewood community, and the religious life of the 
entire state.
  A native of Aiken, Reverend Chavous entered the ministry 57 years 
ago. In preparation for the ministry, he received degrees from Florida 
Normal College and Union Seminary. Early in his career in the ministry, 
Reverend Chavous pastored several churches across South Carolina.
  Under Reverend Chavous' leadership, Ridgewood Baptist experienced 
tremendous growth in membership and established important new 
ministries and programs. Among the highlights are: the 7:45 a.m. 
Worship Service, the weekly Bible Study Class, the L.C. Chavous Ushers, 
the Tape and Sound Ministry, the Cherubs Choir, the Pulpit Aid Club, 
and the Christian Education Board. Reverend Chavous also commissioned 
the first recorded history of the church and established the Ridgewood 
Foundation.
  In addition to new programs and organizations, Reverend Chavous 
oversaw the expansion of the church campus by acquiring the Mack's 
Nursery, the historic Holloway House, and additional parking. The 
crowning achievement of his administration was the construction of the 
Ridgewood Family Life Center, which was recently named in his honor.
  Reverend Chavous has also served the greater community through his 
membership on the boards of Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina 
and his alma mater, Florida Normal College. Furthermore, he previously 
served as Moderator of the Gethsemane Association and President of the 
Fellowship Union; and has been active in the Baptist Education and 
Missionary Convention of South Carolina.
  Madam Speaker, Reverend Levi C. Chavous has touched the lives of 
numerous individuals, and made an indelible impact on the members of 
his church and the entire community. Along with his lovely wife, Mrs. 
Lucille S. Chavous, he has won the admiration and respect of the 
members of the Ridgewood Baptist Church for his 40 years of dedicated 
service. On Sunday, March 25, 2007, Reverend Chavous will preach his 
final sermon as Pastor of Ridgewood Baptist Church and I wish him well 
and godspeed.

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