[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING PASTOR CLARENCE SEXTON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 2013

  Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
Tennessean beloved by thousands of students and worshippers who look to 
him for spiritual guidance.
  Pastor Clarence Sexton has lead Temple Baptist Church in Powell for 
25 years.
  When Pastor Sexton took over the church in 1988, the congregation 
consisted of a few hundred people.
  Today, the church has grown to more than 6,000 worshippers, and 
Pastor Sexton's role has expanded to Crown Bible College, where he 
serves as President.
  Pastor Sexton first found his calling to ministry in Blount County in 
my District, where he met his wife Mary Evelyn Rogers and first 
attended church at First Baptist Church of Maryville. He also served as 
head pastor at Greenback Memorial Baptist Church.
  In 1967, Pastor Sexton preached his first sermon on a radio 
broadcast. Decades later, he has lead Temple Baptist Church into the 
technological age, reaching thousands through audio, video, and the 
internet.
  I have attended Temple Baptist Church many times, and Pastor Sexton 
is one of most caring men I have ever known. It would be impossible to 
count the many people he has touched with his kindness, compassion, and 
grace during his time at Temple Baptist.
  I urge my colleagues to join me as I salute Pastor Clarence Sexton, 
and bring his service to the attention of my Colleagues and other 
readers of the Record. His calling as a pastor, friend, and leader will 
continue to inspire many more.

                          ____________________