[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF NEW BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 
                              INCORPORATED

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to 
extend my sincere congratulations to the congregation of Bethel African 
Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus, Georgia as the church's 
membership and leadership celebrate 142 years.
  Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1874; 87 
years after Richard Allen organized the African Methodist Episcopal 
Church in 1787. It is believed the church seat was moved several times 
from 1874 to 1927. It is recorded that within the 53 years less than 20 
pastors were appointed to Bethel. During the years of 1927 to 1930 the 
membership of Bethel ranged from 50 to 80. By the year 1932, the church 
membership had increased to 220.
  Ephesians 4:16 states ``from whom the whole body, being fitted and 
held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper 
working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the 
building up of itself in love.'' Through the blessings of God, New 
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church has grown spiritually, 
numerically, and materially, for the last 62 years.
  In 1954, a new building was assembled under the leadership of Rev. R. 
L. Tyson (deceased), thus Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was 
renamed New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. As the church's 
congregation grew in numbers and in spirit it also grew in size. 
Between the years of 1965-1998, God blessed New Bethel African 
Methodist Episcopal Church with several architectural additions to the 
church, to help accommodate its growing flock. By the grace of God, New 
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was bestowed the honor of 
hosting the 92nd Session of the Southwest Georgia Annual Conference, in 
1988.
  New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church has been blessed to 
have several anointed guests, and guest preachers such as the first 
female minister, Rev. Varnette Green (deceased), who served as the 
guest Revivalist at the Youth Revival, in 1987, and Bishop Donald 
George Kenneth Ming, who preached the unadulterated word of God in June 
1993, at the church's first family and Friends Day. In June 2002, under 
the righteous leadership of Rev. Bruce Francis, New Bethel African 
Methodist Episcopal Church celebrated its 127th Church Anniversary and 
some of the distinguished guests in attendance included Congressman 
Sanford Bishop and spouse, Mrs. Vivian C. Bishop, District Staff 
Member, Mrs. Elaine Gillispie and Councilor Evelyn Woodson.
  It gives me great honor to recognize New Bethel African Methodist 
Episcopal Church, a holy vessel guided by the exceptional leadership of 
Rev. Richard A. Yancey. Like myself, Reverend Yancey is a distinguished 
member of Kappa Alpha Ksi Fraternity Incorporated. He is also an 
influential figure in the Columbus community, who has dedicated the 
last 26 years of his life to teaching the word of God.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join my wife and me along 
with the 730,000 citizens of the 2nd Congressional District in 
congratulating and honoring New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal 
Church for 142 years of faithful service to God and humanity.

                          ____________________