[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       A TRIBUTE TO BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF PASADENA

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                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2009

  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bethel Missionary 
Baptist Church of Pasadena, California. Bethel Missionary Baptist 
Church is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with the theme ``The 
Church--Moving Forward in the Power of the Holy Spirit.''
  Established in February 1959, under the leadership of Reverend 
Freeman S. Stevens with seventeen members, Bethel Missionary Baptist 
Church was formally recognized in June of that year as a constituted 
Baptist Church. For a few months, the church held services at the 
Pasadena Buddhist Church and with Dr. J. W. Coleman at Community 
Baptist Church in Pasadena. In December of 1959, Reverend Stevens and 
church members moved into a small frame house at 1972 N. Fair Oaks 
Avenue in Pasadena, and with the assistance of architect Luther 
Eskijian, constructed a new church at the site.
  Continuing to grow, the church underwent many renovations over the 
years, including the purchase of the adjacent property in 1984 which 
allowed for expansion and a major renovation of the church in 2007 
under the leadership of the current pastor, Pastor John T. McCall.
  Since its inception, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church has provided 
spiritual guidance and tangible support to the Altadena and Pasadena 
community. Some of the church's many programs include the Youth 
Scholarship Fund instituted by the last Pastor Kurling C. Robinson and 
Wednesday Family Night, established by Pastor John T. McCall. Other 
services include a food pantry for the community, Project Fatherhood--a 
mentoring program for fathers, a youth summer program and a youth 
fellowship group. In addition, the church actively supports D'veal 
Family and Youth Services agency's programs such as the Alive and Free 
Violence Intervention and Prevention program.
  I consider it a great privilege to recognize Bethel Missionary 
Baptist Church on its fiftieth anniversary and I ask all Members to 
join me in congratulating the congregation for their fifty years of 
service to the community.

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