[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 18 (Monday, February 1, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E84]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE GREATER COMMUNITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH ON 25 YEARS 
                       OF WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP

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                          HON. MARC A. VEASEY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 1, 2016

  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Greater 
Community Missionary Baptist Church on their 25 years of worship and 
fellowship in Arlington, Texas and the surrounding community.
  The founding congregants of Greater Community MBC heard their call to 
worship in 1991. Reverend Kennedy Jones first led a group of twenty-two 
founding members and began holding services at the Harvest Time Church 
on Cooper Street in Arlington. Beginning with a single Sunday afternoon 
service, the Greater Community family quickly outgrew its original 
location. During its first year, Greater Community MBC purchased the 
property where the church now resides at 126 East Park Row.
  Construction on the new church was completed in 1993. The then 60 
member strong congregation moved into its new building and continued to 
grow rapidly. By the end of 1996, there were 300 regular members, three 
choirs, a whole host of new deacons and the seeds of some of the 
Arlington community's most effective ministries were planted.
  From its humble beginnings as a small church with a single afternoon 
service, Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church now holds three 
separate services at both their east and west campuses, and is home to 
over 1500 members. With their expanded ministry offerings, Greater 
Community continues to serve the Arlington community in a variety of 
ways.
  Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church has maintained its 
commitment to growing its ministry through works of love and service. 
As described in Ephesians 4:12, Greater Community Missionary Baptist 
Church has been and will continue ``to equip His people for works of 
service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.''
  In honor of Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church and its 25 
years of service to the Arlington community, this statement will be 
submitted on Monday, February 1, 2016.

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