[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 108 (Friday, June 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE REMARKABLE MT. MORIAH BAPTIST UNION ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 23, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
remarkable historical Mt. Moriah Baptist Union Association.
  The Mt. Moriah Baptist Union Association was organized in 1908, by 
Dr. C.P. Bohannon and he served as the first moderator for the Mt. 
Moriah MB Union Association for twenty-three years. Thirty 
congregations united themselves together in an effort to keep alive the 
hope of a people for the work of service to our Lord has been the 
strength of this body. Together, we can accomplish what one 
congregation may not achieve alone. Therefore, strength is generated 
through unity.
  The association represented in the National Baptist Convention, USA, 
INC., the General Baptist State Convention and Moderator Bohannon 
Challenged the local churches of Mt. Moriah by say ``our missionary 
activities in foreign land carried on.'' Moderator Bohannon passed in 
1939 and vice moderator A.M. Robert completed his term. Other 
moderators followed; Rev. William H. Turner (upon his death, Rev. B.J. 
Edwards, as Vice-Moderator, carried out his term); Rev. J.C. Batteast, 
Rev. J.C. Hentz, Rev. Amos Sims and the newly elect, Rev. Larry Hervey. 
In May 1972, Sarah Kimble donated land to the Mt. Moriah District 
Baptist Association. In July 1982, Moderator Batteast led the 
association in the purchase of the Davidson Elementary School building 
in Water Valley to serve as a site for the work of the Association. The 
facility served the Association's for 18 years.
  In March of 1999, the Association Board, under the leadership of 
Moderator J.C. Hentz, made the decision to build a new headquarters on 
the land donated by Mrs. Sarah Kimble. The vision of the forefathers 
has become a reality. The Mt. Moriah District Missionary Baptist 
Association headquarters was erected in 2000. On May 2008, the 
Association building was destroyed by fire. Mt. Moriah District 
Missionary headquarters was rebuilt in 2009 under the leadership of 
Moderator Sims, and stands today as a testimony of the power of vision 
among God's people.
  In recognition of the challenging need of enlistment of ever growing 
constituency of the Baptist Churches affiliated with the General 
Missionary Baptist State Convention, USA, for the purpose of developing 
a strong and sound progressive denomination to fulfill the ``Great 
Commission'' enunciated by Jesus Christ, the head of the church. We, 
the messenger of the Mount Moriah District Missionary Baptist 
Association pledge its future to carrying forward of programs of 
religious educational training in church membership, evangelism and 
mission as sponsored by the General Missionary Baptist State Convention 
of Mississippi, through its several boards/committees.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Mt. 
Moriah Baptist Union Association for their dedication and outstanding 
service to their communities.

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