[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 124 (Friday, September 14, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1530-E1531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING WILLIAM PAUL DILLON ON 40 YEARS OF MINISTRY AND SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM WALBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2012

  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to commend Mr. William Paul 
Dillon, who has dedicated 40 years of ministry and service to Chicago's 
inner city.
  Born into a family devoted to urban ministry, Mr. Dillon's 
grandfather and father both served as superintendents of the Sunshine 
Gospel Mission in Chicago, Illinois, a mission where I also had the 
opportunity to minister. At an early age, Mr. Dillon accepted Christ 
into his heart and began volunteering at the mission and working as a 
camp counselor. Though he did not feel a call to ministry, aspiring to 
work in the aviation industry for the hometown United Airlines, Mr. 
Dillon's father convinced him to attend Moody Bible Institute to better 
prepare him for a career as a Christian in business. Intending to only 
stay for a year, Mr. Dillon stayed for three and earned his diploma in 
1965.
  Mr. Dillon's time at Moody fostered an appreciation for the city. His 
studies took him to a startup church on the south side of Chicago, 
where he taught Sunday school and allowed him to develop his gifts for 
teaching and administration. Still intending to follow his dreams of 
working in the airline industry, he continued his studies and 
eventually earned a degree in Business Administration and an MBA from 
Murray State University.
  Yet even with his MBA in hand, the Lord had a different plan for Mr. 
Dillon. A down economy meant few jobs in the airline industry, and he 
found work as the youth pastor of Salem Evangelical Free Church in the 
Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago. It is here that Mr. Dillon grew 
to love the community and see the challenges faced by inner city youth. 
Equipped with little beyond his understanding of business, he and his 
wife, Sandy, started the Inner City Impact ministry to serve and 
disciple local youth.
  Inner City Impact has grown over the years, from an initial focus on 
young children, to a full-fledged inner city mission that has put down 
roots in the communities that it serves. Over time, three churches have 
developed out of the efforts of Inner City Impact, along with high 
school outreach programs in Humboldt Park and Cicero. Now headquartered 
in the Logan Square community, Inner City Impact continues to serve 
some of Chicago's toughest neighborhoods through after school clubs, 
camps, leadership development programs and sports leagues.
  In addition to his ministry work, Mr. Dillon is an author and 
frequent speaker on college campuses and to other Christian ministries. 
He also serves as president of People Raising, an organization which 
helps missionaries and Christian organizations fundraise. The Dillons 
attend Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church, and they have three 
grown children.
  In 2005, Moody Bible Institute recognized Mr. Dillon for his service 
in naming him the Alumnus of the Year. As a fellow Moody alum, I 
believe this honor is well-deserved, as Mr. Dillon's life testimony 
captures the essence of

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what it means to uncover the truth of God's Word and apply it to life.
  Although Mr. Dillon has already dedicated four decades to ministry, 
from those early days on the sidewalks of Humboldt Park, to his current 
mission in Cicero, I am confident that the first 40 years are only the 
beginning, and that his work is not done yet!

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