[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 51 (Friday, April 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING PROVIDENCE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 8, 2011

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Providence 
Missionary Baptist Church in Thomasville, Georgia, which is celebrating 
its 104th anniversary on April 10, 2011.
  The Providence Missionary Baptist Church was born out of a spiritual 
need in the Thomasville community. In response to a divine revelation 
from God, the late Mother Mary Lousia Williams along with other 
believers in Jesus Christ proceeded to ``build a house'' for the Lord. 
Providence began as a prayer house, where it was known as the 
Providence of God.
  Reverend Henry Fennell was the first pastor of Providence of God who 
served from 1907-1908. He was succeeded by Reverend Robert Raymond who 
served from 1908-1909. Under Reverend Raymond's leadership, the 
organizational structure of the church grew from a prayer house into a 
missionary Baptist church. After Reverend Raymond's superior 
leadership, Providence Missionary Baptist church has been blessed to 
have several dynamic pastors including Reverend Frank Martin, Reverend 
Arthur J. Atkinson, Reverend Eddie S. Sheffield, Reverend James Ceasar 
Vaughn, Jr., and Rev. Dr. Emory C. Virgil.
  For the last 104 years, Providence Missionary Baptist Church has 
expanded its ministry in the Thomasville community. The church broke 
ground on a new structure in 1957 and moved into the new location on 
Magnolia Street a year later. When the new sanctuary opened, the 
members of the church marched from the site of the old church to the 
new location and Reverend Atkinson ordained nine Deacons.
  Providence Missionary Baptist Church furthered its legacy of giving 
back to the community in 1980 when it helped establish the Providence 
Plaza, a low-income residential facility in Thomasville. Reverend 
Sheffield helped secure funding for the building through a Community 
Development Block Grant, and relied on the leadership of the late 
Deacon Elijah Hill, Jr. Deacon Hill had a proven track record for 
rehabilitating condemned or abandoned houses, turning them into livable 
and affordable dwellings for individuals needing low-income housing.
  The Providence Plaza is a living testimony that the church is most 
capable of providing shelter for the homeless. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus 
gave an instruction to the church when he said: ``come unto me all you 
ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.''
  The church has lived up to its vision statement, ``To glorify God, to 
magnify Christ, and to help somebody'' for the last 104 years, The 
Thomasville community is a better place because of Providence Baptist 
Church, and on the occasion of its 104th anniversary, it gives me great 
honor to recognize the church for all its efforts. I thank the church 
and its congregation for all their many years of service. I hope 
Providence Missionary Baptist Church will continue to spread the word 
of God and continue serving the Thomasville community for many years to 
come. To God be the glory!

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