[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E836-E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING PASTOR J.S. HOPKINS ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM ST. MARK MISSIONARY 
                             BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2012

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, June 2, 2012 Dr. J.S. Hopkins 
is being honored for a lifetime of devotion to the Lord and his 52 
years of service as Pastor to the spiritual community of St. Mark 
Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, Michigan.
  Dr. Hopkins was born on December 19, 1922 in Flora, Mississippi. He 
accepted Christ as his personal savior and was baptized on September 
19, 1937. From 1942 to 1946 he served in the armed forces of the United 
States and in 1946, the year he was honorably discharged, he married 
Miss Lureatha Outland. The couple are proud parents of seven children. 
It was also in 1946 that Dr. Hopkins was crowned a church deacon and 
shortly afterward the couple moved to Michigan and Rev. Hopkins went to 
work for General Motors. He retired from GM in 1978 after 30 years of 
dedicated service.
  After moving to Flint, Dr. Hopkins joined New Zion Missionary Baptist 
Church, serving on the Deacon Board. In 1957, the Hopkins moved their 
membership to True Light Missionary Baptist Church and within a year he

[[Page E837]]

was ordained as a minister. On May 9, 1960 Dr. Hopkins was called to 
pastor Temple Missionary Baptist Church, which later became the St. 
Mark Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Hopkins' inspired leadership, 
vision and courage has been an immense blessing to the St. Mark Family. 
His spiritual, civic and social responsibilities have included being 
President of the Baptist Ministers Fellowship Alliance of Flint; Board 
of Directors, Great Flint O.I.C; Chairman, Annual Awards Committee, 
Concerned Pastors for Social Action; Dedicated Chairman of the C.P.S.A 
Courier; Founder of the Genesee County Christian Institute; Member of 
the Chaplaincy Advisory Council, Michigan Department of Corrections, 
and; Advisor to the Wolverine State Convention.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dr. J.S. Hopkins on his 
well-deserved retirement and dedication to the Flint community. His 
message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and service to St. Mark 
Missionary Baptist Church are an inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________