[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 43 (Monday, March 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING PASTOR GILLETTE O. JAMES

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 13, 2017

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great religious, 
spiritual, and civic leader, Pastor Gillette James, of Beth Eden 
Baptist Church as he retires after more than 46 years of faithful 
service to his community.
  Pastor James graduated from the University of San Francisco with 
Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees, and completed 
additional studies at Oxford University in England.
  Pastor James joined the Beth Eden community in 1970 as an Assistant 
Pastor. Then only a year later, he accepted the call to lead the 
congregation of Beth Eden Baptist Church after the retirement of Pastor 
A.C. Dones. Under his strong leadership, the church built fifty-four 
units of senior housing and purchased other rental housing units for 
the community. Beth Eden also built a new sanctuary and administrative 
wing, and hired an architect for a new Family Life Center that is under 
development, vastly increasing the resources offered to the community 
of West Oakland.
  Pastor James is truly an inspiration to other aspiring clergy, 
helping forty two other members complete coursework at accredited 
seminaries during his tenure, and twelve of those received advanced 
degrees. His leadership has been invaluable to those who have worked 
under his guidance to achieve their dreams of becoming ministers 
themselves.
  Pastor James has also been a strong advocate for the role of women in 
church leadership positions. At one point, he was ousted from the 
California State Baptist Convention for his strong stance for women's 
involvement in the ministry. He has since been restored in the 
Convention, and they heeded his direction to keep churches that fully 
recognize women clergy. Pastor James' commitment to the rights of women 
in leadership positions has never wavered, and I am sure owes much to 
the example of his wonderful wife, the late Dr. Rosa James.
  Additionally, Pastor James has emphasized education as a key area of 
importance in his service to Beth Eden's community. Beth Eden's 
Scholarship Committee awards scholarships to high school graduates and 
college students to ensure that the youth of Oakland remain engaged and 
committed to their education.
  On behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I take great 
pride in joining the Beth Eden community to salute the extraordinary 
Gillette O. James as he retires as Pastor of Beth Eden Baptist Church, 
and wish him many years of joyful retirement.

                          ____________________