[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Asbury United Methodist Church.
  If you desire to eat for a year, plant rice. If you desire to be 
remembered ten years later, plant a tree. If you desire to save future 
generations, educate a child. But if your desire is to preserve 
mankind, plant rice, a tree, educate a child and build a church.
  It was this philosophy, spurred by the divine inspiration of God, 
that Asbury UMC was organized. The year was 1872. Since that time 
Asbury has experienced physical and spiritual growth as was evident by 
the fact that it was in 1898 under the leadership of Rev. D.D. Goodwin. 
The church's trustees were L.K. Levridge, J.L. Thompson, F.L. Jones and 
Henry Raspberry.
  As the years past, Asbury prospered and was remolded in 1926, this 
time under the leadership of W.L. Marshall.
  Realizing that there is indeed strength in unity, Asbury and what was 
to become known as her sister church, Kingsley Chapel United Methodist 
Church of Edwards, Mississippi, were united on the same charge. The 
ministers who spearheaded and supervised that unification were J.B. 
Brooks, J.M. Shummpert and H.C. Trice.
  For the next fifty years, Asbury continued to worship God through 
service to humanity. This was done under the ever present watchfulness 
of Reverends Walton Taylor, A.L. Johnson, N.R. Ross, J.B. Watkins, A.L. 
Pittman and E.B. James.
  A church without a past has no future, without a present there can be 
no future. In 1972, Asbury realized that it had an even greater future 
and challenge ahead as it became and continues to be a United Methodist 
Church. Pastoring Asbury before, during, as well as after this period 
of name change, was the Rev. Dr. Oscar Allen Rogers, Jr. During Dr. 
Rogers' tenure, 22 years, the longest in the history of Asbury, the 
church experienced many positive changes, including an extended 
renovation in 1975. In May of 1984, Dr. Rogers accepted the Presidency 
of Claflin College, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
  The departure left a void, but one which was soon filled by Rev. 
Coleman Turner, a native of Bolton, as well as a member of Asbury's 
extended family.
  Before coming to Asbury, Rev. Turner was pastor of Pratt Memorial UMC 
of Jackson, Mississippi. Although his stay was brief, his leadership 
was inspiring.
  In 1985, the Rev. John Baker came to Asbury from Anderson UMC, 
Jackson, Mississippi. He accepted the challenge of Christian leadership 
and proved a positive influence.
  On the Fourth Sunday in June of 1987, Asbury welcomed the Rev. Dwight 
Prowell and his wife Patricia. They quickly and effectively became an 
involved part of the Asbury family. Although it was a short 
relationship, Asbury and the Prowells shared many joyous moments; 
perhaps the highlight being an addition to their family, a son, 
Christopher. Christopher arrived in Mississippi on a Homecoming Sunday. 
It was truly a special day.
  In 1988, The Rev. Alphanette Bracey Martin became the spiritual 
leader of Asbury UMC. Rev. Martin was also the director of the Wesley 
Foundation, located on the campus of Alcorn State University, Lorman, 
Mississippi. Under Rev. Martin's leadership Asbury continued to shine 
as the ``church by the side of the road.''
  The Reverend Reuben C. Witherspoon served as leader of the flock from 
June 1994 to June 2000. He brought to Asbury a renewed commitment to 
spirituality among the members. He also made improvements within the 
church.
  Reverend Herman Peters accepted the leadership of Asbury June 25, 
2000 and served through December 2002. He inspired continued commitment 
to spiritual, financial and physical growth.
  Asbury is presently under the charismatic leadership of the Reverend 
Sam Lee, Jr., who accepted the top post in January, 2003.
  We have also been privileged to have the following ministers from 
1924 to present: Rev. J.B. Brooks, 1924-1927; Rev. W.E. Rucker, 1927-
1928; Rev. Prince A. Taylor, Sr. 1931-1932; Rev. J.C. Hibbler, 1933-
1934; Rev. A.C. Trice, 1935-1936; Rev. Allen L. Johnson, 1937-1939; 
Rev. N.W. Ross, 1940-1941; Rev. Walter S. Taylor, 1942-1943; Rev. J.B. 
Watkins, 1944-1946; Rev. L.M. Pittman, 1947; Rev. E.B. James, 1948-
1952; Rev. V.C. McInnis, 1953; Rev. Richard D. Gerald, Sr., 1954-1955; 
Rev. Henry Bartee, Sr., 1959-1962; Rev. Dr. Oscar A. Rogers, Jr., 1962-
1984; Rev. Coleman Turner, 1984-1985; Rev. John L. Baker, 1985-1986; 
Rev. Dwight d. Powell, 1987; Rev. Alphanette B. Martin, 1988-1994; Rev. 
Reuben C. Witherspoon, 1994-2000; Rev. Herman Peters, 2000-2002; Rev. 
Sam Lee, Jr., 2003-Present.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing my home 
church, Asbury United Methodist Church of Bolton, Mississippi

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