[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 77 (Thursday, May 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING BISHOP EDWARD SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2007

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of 
Bishop Edward Smith on his 20th anniversary as Presiding Bishop of the 
Progressive Churches and as pastor of the Progressive Church in 
Columbia, South Carolina.
  On April 15, 2007, Bishop Smith was honored by his home church, the 
Progressive Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc., in Columbia. The 
following is a summary of the tribute that appeared in the church 
program:

       The year 2007 is a milestone in the life of Bishop Edward 
     Smith. This year marks his 20th anniversary as pastor of the 
     Progressive Church in Columbia, S.C., and his 50th 
     anniversary as pastor of the Progressive Church in Denmark, 
     S.C. During this week, we pause to honor a dedicated man of 
     God for his many years of ministry and service, and for his 
     commitment to winning souls for the kingdom of God.
       Bishop Edward Smith was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. 
     After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. 
     Army and was sent to Fort Jackson Army Base in Columbia.
       Having been raised from a child to attend church, Bishop 
     Smith began attending different churches in Columbia. One day 
     he met Sister Edna M. Friday, niece of the late Bishop J.D. 
     Williams. She invited him to attend services at the 
     Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, where she was a 
     member. After visiting the church for several months, he was 
     baptized.
       On August 6, 1952, young Brother Edward Smith was married 
     to Sister Edna M. Friday. They were blessed with three 
     children: Elder William E. (Sheneice) Smith, David N. 
     (Carolyn) Smith, and Joyce D. (Lewis) Grimes. Bishop and 
     Sister Smith also have three grandchildren: David N. Smith 
     II, Brandon E.B. Smith, and Adrienne M. Smith.
       Soon thereafter, Brother Smith had to make a decision 
     between continuing his military career as a soldier in the 
     U.S. Army or coming back to South Carolina and the 
     Progressive Church. He made the choice to stay in South 
     Carolina because of the Progressive Church.
       In the years since, Bishop Williams has faithfully served 
     the Progressive Church at the local and national level.
       Bishop Smith's greatest desire is to see souls saved and 
     delivered from sin. Known as a ``no-nonsense man,'' he often 
     states that he does not preach to excite people's emotions, 
     but rather that God has called him to ``provoke thought and 
     bring conviction.'' In a time when many pastors are 
     compromising God's Word, we are thankful to God for giving us 
     a Pastor and Bishop who has the people of God at heart.

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