[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 135 (Friday, October 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNIITON OF REVEREND DR. LARRY WAYNE ELLIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2012

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Reverend Dr. Larry Wayne 
Ellis for his 25 years of service and inspiration as senior pastor of 
Pilgrim Baptist Church in San Mateo.
  Dr. Ellis understands the power of the written and spoken word. He 
has authored six books, including Trust, The Congregation Driven 
Ministry and The Uncommon Book of Prayers. He was also selected to 
contribute to the Oxford Sermons Volume II. His soothing voice fills 
his parish and the airwaves of KFAX-AM and KMEL-FM radio on a regular 
basis. His radio ministry ``Teach the Word'' is broadcast daily on KFAX 
and the ``Dr. Larry Show'' is broadcast monthly on KMEL.
  Dr. Ellis started as the pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in 
September 1987 and has grown and revitalized his congregation ever 
since. Originally from Clarksville, Tennessee, he earned his bachelor's 
degree from Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. He moved to 
California and received his Master of Divinity degree from Golden Gate 
Theological Seminary and his Masters Degree in Counseling from the 
College of Notre Dame. In 1995, he topped off his education with a 
Doctorate of Ministry from the Northern Baptists Theological Seminary 
in Illinois.
  Dr. Ellis continues his lifelong commitment to religious education. 
He currently serves as vice president and professor at Southern Marin 
Bible Institute and an adjunct professor at Golden Gate Seminary in 
Mill Valley. In 1999, he was selected as president of Bay Area Baptist 
Congress Christian Education and in 2002 served as vice president of 
the California State Congress of Christian Education. He was president 
of California State Baptist Congress of Christian Education from 2005 
until 2010. He is on the board of directors of The National Baptist 
Congress of Christian Education.
  Members of Dr. Ellis' congregation describe him as a teacher and 
encourager who lives by example--or as he puts it, ``I am my message. I 
have to model my ministry.'' A few years ago, a veteran joined the 
church after some 10 years in the military. She had drifted into a life 
of drugs and hopelessness. Dr. Ellis encouraged and mentored her to 
turn her life around. She cleaned up, moved into transitional housing 
the church had purchased and went to school to earn her BA and Masters 
degrees. Today she is a double homeowner and mentors children and 
members of the Pilgrim Baptist congregation.
  In addition to preaching, teaching and encouraging, Dr. Ellis is 
always looking for ways to stay engaged with our community outside the 
church. He founded C.H.O.I.C.E.S., a drug information and referral 
nonprofit agency and became president and CEO of the Pilgrim 
Organization, Inc., a youth through senior nonprofit organization.
  Our community has recognized his invaluable contributions. He 
received the Hero of Health Award from the African American Community 
Advisory Board, the Pastoral Excellence Award from Samford University, 
and he was inducted into the San Mateo Library Wall of Fame.
  Dr. Ellis is married to Vanderler Hines-Ellis and is the proud father 
of Tawana, Justin and Austin.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
honor Reverend Dr. Larry W. Ellis who has touched thousands of lives 
and lifted the spirits of the residents of San Mateo, California and 
throughout the world.

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