[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE RETIREMENT OF BISHOP RUDOLPH W. McKISSICK, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 29, 2014

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bishop 
Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr., the Pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional 
Church.
  For over 50 years, Bishop McKissick has served the Bethel community 
as its pastor. But previous to that, he helped the community as a 
choral member, music director, and Deacon prior to being called to 
succeed Rev. Robert Wilson in 1966 as Bethel's tenth pastor.
  Throughout his tenure, Bishop McKissick, Sr.'s exemplary teachings 
and spiritual guidance have inspired more than fifty servant leaders to 
accept God's calling to the ministry. Among them is his son Bishop 
Rudolph McKissick, Jr., Co-Pastor, Bethel Baptist Institutional Church. 
In addition, Bishop McKissick, Sr., demonstrating his commitment to 
meeting and supporting the ever-changing needs and growth of 
congregants, has established more than fifty ministries. A Christian 
Mission (The Help Center), marriage ministry, church basketball league, 
youth retreats, and missionary outreach program are among the 
initiatives long recognized for its innovation and excellence. Most 
notably and characteristic of the passion Bishop McKissick, Sr. and his 
wife of forty-nine years, Estelle Williams McKissick, share for 
education, is B.E.S.T. (Bethel Enhancing Students Totally) Academy, a 
program established in 1993 to support the academic needs of elementary 
and secondary students. Under their leadership, B.E.S.T. has become a 
valuable resource earning Bethel recognition as an approved summer 
school site for Duval County's most academically challenged students.
  This high level of commitment to quality education is evident 
throughout Bishop McKissick, Sr.'s journey, as evidenced by his own 
educational achievements and affiliations. Bishop McKissick, Sr. holds 
a bachelors degree for Edward Waters College (EWC) and has received 
training at a number of other leading institutions including Tuskegee 
Institute, the Music Institute, the Music Institute of Columbia 
University, Princeton University and Luther Rice Seminary. He also has 
conferred doctoral degrees from EWC and Bethune Cookman University. He 
has held membership on a number of boards and commissions including 
appointment to the first Board of Trustees at the University of North 
Florida, the Jacksonville Urban League, the YMCA James Weldon Johnson 
branch, and The Help Center. Bishop McKissick, Sr. has launched 
partnerships across the globe with Bethel's adoption of churches in 
South Africa and Panama. He was chosen by Fresh Ministries to 
participate in a 1999 tour of South Africa, and a tour of Turkey, 
hosted last year by the Amity Turkish Cultural Center.
  Recognized as a community stalwart, Bishop McKissick, Sr. has earned 
a host of awards and accomplishments. A few include recipient of the 
1992 Humanitarian award presented by the National Conference for 
Christian and Jews; City of Jacksonville's Human Relations Award; 
National Association for Equal Opportunity Award; Bernard Gregory 
Servant Leader Award; and the Meritorious Leadership Award presented by 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr. In September 2011, was elevated to Bishop 
of Marriage and Family in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship 
International.
  A member of the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Bishop Rudolph 
McKissick, Sr. is married to Estelle Williams McKissick and they have 
one son, Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr. (Kimberly) and three 
grandchildren; Jocelyn, Janai and Joshua.
  Bishop McKissick gave his final sermon as Senior Pastor of Bethel 
Baptist Institutional Church on Sunday January 5, 2014. He ended the 
sermon saying ``there is no more powerful congregation than this 
congregation. For 175 years, God has blessed this church.''
  ``Lord bless you and keep you . . .''
  Thank you, Bishop McKissick. May the Lord Bless you and Keep you.

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