[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 62 (Saturday, April 8, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING SYKES CHAPEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Saturday, April 8, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable historical church, Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of 
Lambert, Mississippi and the great leadership it is under.
  Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church was founded in the 1900s by 
the share cropping plantation families: the Sykes family, the Noble 
family, the Cox family, and the McCray family. For years, there was no 
building for worship service. Therefore, the families went from house 
to house worshipping and praising God. The plantation was first-owned 
by Mr. Yeager who later gave it to his relative, Mr. E. H. Anderson. 
Mr. Anderson was a God-fearing man who would often stand in the back of 
worship service.
  The Sykes family was the oldest and first family on the plantation. 
Therefore, the families gathered together and sold cakes to raise a 
little money. Afterwards, they asked Mr. Anderson to allow them to have 
a spot to build a church. Mr. Anderson allowed them to build a one-room 
shot gun building and allowed the men on the plantation to provide the 
labor. There was one wood heater and no air, but the families continued 
to praise God.
  The members along with Mr. Anderson agreed to name the church Sykes 
Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Minister Richardson was the first 
pastor selected. He served for a while, and later God called him home. 
In addition to the church, Mr. Anderson provided them with burial 
ground, and they called it the Sykes Chapel Cemetery. Some of the 
members are actually buried there.
  Later, the church was destroyed twice--first by storm and later by 
fire. With the assistance of Mr. Anderson and loyal families, the 
church was rebuilt twice. After rebuilding the church, they had worship 
service once a month. The church has been under the leadership of 
several pastors: Rev. Harry Benimon, Rev. Rollie Lee, Rev. Arthur Lee, 
Rev. Lloyd Johnson, and Rev. Robert Griffin.
  Pastor Lloyd Johnson enjoyed praising God. He encouraged members to 
attend church every Sunday, and the membership increased. He later had 
a vision to build a larger sanctuary. In the process of preparing to 
build a larger church, no deed was found. Several deacons, including 
Deacon Albert Emerson, Deacon James Lee McCray, Deacon Ollie McCray, 
and Deacon Eddie Moore went to Mr. Anderson to inquire about the deed, 
and he sold the land to Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for 
$1.00. In addition to the new sanctuary, a bus and van were purchased; 
outreach ministries and abstinence programs were started. Pastor 
Johnson served as pastor for seventeen years, until God called him 
home.
  God sent Pastor Robert Griffin, who served for approximately four 
years. Under his leadetship, the church continued to praise God. The 
youth ministry flourished, and the church was paid off in one and a 
half years.
  Currently, Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church is under the 
leadership of Pastor Derell Wiley. He believes that we can truly move 
mountains through prayer and faith. His established mission for Sykes 
Chapel is: ``Exalting the Savior, Equipping the Saints, and 
Evangelizing the Sinner.'' In his vision, souls are saved, minds are 
renewed, hearts are cleansed, and members are rejuvenated. He 
emphasizes that the atmosphere will be shifted and a change will occur 
when we work together and embrace others with love, for God is love.
  They are a little country church, but they serve an awesome God, who 
is able to transform minds, spirits, and lives. Under Pastor Wiley's 
leadership, they are growing physically and spiritually--studying and 
standing on the word of God. The following ministries have been 
started: Youth Ministry, Jail Ministry and Counseling, and the 
Convalescent Home Ministry.
  By faith, they are discovering their purposes and trusting God for 
His promises. As God leads and guides, the future ministries will be 
developed: family ministries, couple ministries, and single ministries, 
as we become spiritually and physically prepared for God's kingdom. By 
faith, mountains are being moved, sinners are seeking Christ, and 
Christians are being restored.
  The Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, believes that the 
greatest privilege and responsibility is to create disciples for 
Christ. The members are therefore committed to fulfilling their purpose 
through worship, fellowship, ministry, and Christian education.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sykes 
Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for its dedication to serving our 
great community and country.

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