[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 17, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 17, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
pillar of the community, the Mount Zion Baptist Church.
  The Mount Zion Baptist Church was founded in 1899 in Cary, MS. The 
Church has had several great leaders: Rev. Threadgill, Rev. James 
Merrill and Rev. Jack Wilson to name a few.
  In the 60's the church elected Rev. C.B. Smith. Rev. Smith was a 
visionary leader and believed in pushing the church forward. In 1992 
Rev Smith led the Church into a new edifice. Rev. Smith nurtured the 
church through Christian education. Rev Smith was the longest serving 
Pastor.
  After Rev. C.B. Smith's tenure the congregation elected Rev. Henry 
Wilson who served the church faithfully until his health began to fail. 
Under his leadership the church continued to labor in the ministry.
  In 2009 the church elected Dr. Peter Jackson and he served for nearly 
three years before he resigned.
  After much prayer the church elected Rev. Travis J. Gully to serve as 
the Pastor. He began to preach and teach the word of God and things 
began to change. The church has recently decided to build the C.B. 
Smith Family Life Center. The church has begun to press forward in the 
new season. Rev. Gully's goal is to have the church to do ministry in a 
dynamic way.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Mount 
Zion Baptist Church as they celebrate 114 years of standing firmly on 
the word of God.

                          ____________________