[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 7 (Thursday, January 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E62-E63]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF BISHOP DR. AUDREY F. BRONSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE SESTAK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 21, 2010

  Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I would like to honor Bishop Dr. Audrey F. 
Bronson in recognition of her investiture as President of the Zion 
Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 24, 2010.
  Dr. Bronson is an ordained minister and consecrated bishop. She began 
preaching at the early age of fourteen and after many years of serving 
as an evangelist, she established the Sanctuary Church of the Open Door 
in 1975. Under her leadership, Sanctuary Church grew rapidly. She also 
founded the Sanctuary Christian Academy in 1978, a private academic 
school from pre-school to fifth grade; the Sanctuary Bible Institute 
and the Sanctuary Counseling and Referral Center.
  Because of the demands of a growing church, Dr. Bronson retired from 
Cheyney University in 1984 as Associate Professor of Psychology after 
seventeen years of teaching. She served as Dean of the Philadelphia 
Urban Education Institute, a subsidiary of the African American 
Interdenominational Ministries, Inc. (AAIM, Inc.) of Philadelphia in 
association with the major seminaries of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
Dr. Bronson serves as secretary on the board of One Church, One Child, 
Inc. of Pennsylvania, a statewide organization organized to encourage 
members of African American Churches to adopt African American 
children. She also served on the Mayor's Transition Team.
  Dr. Bronson is deeply touched by human suffering and her church doors 
are open seven days a week to minister to people in need of both 
spiritual and physical help. Dr. Bronson has served as block captain; 
ministered in prisons; worked to rid the area of drugs surrounding her 
church and helped to feed homeless people. She has a tremendous desire 
to bring about changes in the lives of her fellowman and faith in his 
ability to help himself. Dr. Bronson will continue her good works as 
President of the Zion Baptist Church.
  The Zion Baptist Church began as a missionary prayer meeting in 1882 
led by Reverend Horace B. Wayland in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Lewis 
Simms. Over the years, Zion membership grew to an extraordinary 6,000 
congregants. In 1955, Zion moved to its current location at Broad & 
Venango Streets, where it was transformed into an urban Christian 
center. To this end, the Church initiated the following programs: a day 
care center, credit union, community center programs, employment 
agency, retirement home, adult education courses, reading classes and 
family counseling.
  The Zion Baptist Church and its leadership have consistently placed 
an emphasis on community development and Christian youth leadership. 
Community, social, and theological initiatives organized by the Church 
include the Zion Center for Corresponding Biblical Studies, weekly 
Bible Study, Transportation Ministry, Puppet and Clown Ministry, 
spiritual retreats, leadership workshops, Zion Outreach Support 
Ministry and the Human Services Center.
  Dr. Bronson's selection as President of the Zion Baptist Church is 
the well earned result of many years of dedicated service to the church 
and the Philadelphia community at large. On behalf of the Seventh 
Congressional District, I wish Dr. Bronson continued success in this 
new endeavor.

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