[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 148 (Monday, November 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF APOSTLE SUPERINTENDENT STEPHEN STALLWORTH, FOUNDER AND 
PASTOR OF GREATER GRACE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST AND FOUNDER AND CEO OF 
                 GRACELAND INSTITUTE OF EARLY LEARNING

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 15, 2010

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor a man of great faith, a man who has given much to his community 
while serving as a model citizen, father, and apostle of the word of 
God, Pastor Stephen Stallworth.
  Pastor Stallworth was called to the ministry at the young age of 
twenty-six. In 1970, he attended the University of Michigan and the CH 
Mason Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. There he was ordained an Elder, 
and in 1976, he was installed as an Assistant Pastor.
  He was offered a position by General Motors in Albany, Georgia. In 
1979, he and his family moved from Michigan to Georgia, where he felt 
called by God to serve as a pastor.
  Shortly after moving to Albany, Pastor and Mother Stallworth began 
the task of finding a church. One day, by a chance encounter, they 
discovered their first church while on their way to the parish they 
were attending at that time. Due to road work on their normal route, 
they detoured onto Church Street where they discovered a vacant church. 
They felt called by God to turn the empty building into a thriving, 
vibrant parish with which to serve God and the Albany community.
  Pastor and Mother Stallworth selflessly purchased the building to 
begin the new church. Instead of buying a home for their family, they 
began a home for their spiritual family in Albany, and in 1981, Pastor 
Stallworth established the Greater Grace Church of God in Christ. He 
and Mother Stallworth took to the task of restoring and refurbishing 
the land and property, and in doing so they established a neighborhood 
ministry.
  As the parish grew there was need for a larger facility, and through 
his ministry numerous Bishops, Pastors and Evangelist were born. There 
are nine churches in Pastor Stallworth's district; five of these 
churches originated directly from his ministry. There are approximately 
twelve churches operating in the Albany area that were born under the 
direction of Pastor Stallworth, and there are more that 2,000 members 
in his district.
  In March of 2008, Pastor Stallworth established a covenant between 
the Greater Grace Church of God in Christ and the Greater New Hope 
Anointed Ministries in Plant City, Florida, whose membership exceeds 
five hundred members and is one of the fastest growing churches in the 
area. The Pastor is national recording artist Calvin Callins.
  In 2009, Pastor Stallworth established covenants with Pastor Ray G. 
Johnson of Love Life Church and with Pastor Willie C. Carter of Acts II 
Full Gospel Church; both are located in Camilla, Georgia.
  Heeding the call to expand his ministry, Pastor Stallworth oversaw 
the erection of a multi-million dollar edifice. After two years of 
construction the new 22,000 square foot building was completed in 
February of 2008. 6,000 square feet are allocated for the Graceland 
Institute of Early Learning, which opened in September of 2008.
  Ever innovative, Pastor Stallworth envisions facilities to house 
senior citizens and college students. He is known for never preaching 
the same sermon twice and he seeks to expand his ministry and preach 
the word of God to all he can. His mission is to always exhibit 
excellence in his ministry by always lifting Jesus to the height that 
men and women will be drawn to Him.
  Madam Speaker, today I recognize and honor a man I am proud to call 
friend and constituent and a man who has altruistically contributed to 
our community, giving so much of himself. Today it is my privilege to 
honor Pastor Stephen Stallworth as he is elevated to the position of 
Apostle. He has served God and his community well and I know he will 
continue to do so.

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