[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 142 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING DR. JERRY PREVO FOR 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2011

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Jerry 
Prevo and the 40 years of service he has given to the Anchorage Baptist 
Temple community in Alaska where he is the pastor of one of the State's 
largest and most active churches. Sporting an auditorium able to seat 
over 2,000 people and a regular congregation of 2,200 it is difficult 
to imagine the church's very humble origins.
  The church was founded as the Bible Baptist Church in 1956 by 
Missionary Don White who oversaw a congregation of 300 people until, in 
1971, a young graduate of the Baptist Bible College in Springfield, 
Missouri, was called. In just a few short years under his careful and 
dutiful stewardship, Pastor Prevo saw attendance increase rapidly, 
until there was just no more room.
  He needed to do something about it. In 1973 he proposed to move the 
church to their present location on Northern Lights Boulevard--a 
magnificent 20-acre estate. The community needed a church, the church 
needed the community. Answering the call, the new building was built, 
largely, by hundreds of church members who freely volunteered their 
time and talents in an outstanding example of community-wide 
cooperation. It was then that the church was renamed Anchorage Baptist 
Temple.
  Pastor Prevo, always committed to the education of future 
generations, saw the opportunity to found the Anchorage Christian 
Schools. Within just 5 years more classrooms and a gymnasium had to be 
built due to its massive popularity. Decades later the school and the 
Children's Ministry Center consists of 26 classrooms, a 300-seat 
gymnasium, library, music department, computer lab, and a chemistry lab 
over a 350,000 square feet complex--all built from the community's 
generous donations with no debt incurred. The Christian School now has 
over 750 students as well as a Sunday school, a preschool and all-day 
child care.
  In the midst of running a school and a church the Pastor Prevo took 
the time to pursue a Doctor of Divinity degree at Hyles Anderson 
College and the Liberty Baptist Theological in 1978 and 1993, 
respectively. He expanded his community work to philanthropy by serving 
on the Board of Samaritan's Purse and on the Board of Liberty 
University in Virginia.
  Today, through three radio stations, a contemporary Christian music 
station, and a television station he can be seen and heard daily by 
over half the population of Alaska.
  On a personal note, Pastor Prevo has been there for me during some 
tough times. The loss of my wife, Lu, was sudden and painful and Pastor 
Prevo helped by offering the use of the Anchorage Baptist Temple and 
its ability to broadcast to a good portion of the State for her 
memorial service. In the two years since her passing I have come to 
rely on his spiritual leadership and guidance.
  As a result of his far-reaching state-wide community work and success 
in reforming and growing one of Alaska's largest churches, and his 
extensive outreach in Europe and the Middle East, the Alaska Journal of 
Commerce has listed him as one of the 25 most influential individuals 
in Alaska.
  Dr. Jerry Prevo has always worked hard and been nothing but loyal to 
his community and church and I commend him for his 40 years of service.

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