[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 175 (Tuesday, October 30, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1476-E1477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE MIDDLE EASTERN 
           DISTRICT OF THE ORIGINAL FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2018

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 150th 
anniversary of the Middle Eastern District of the Original Free Will 
Baptist Church, which is headquartered in my congressional district in 
Wilson, North Carolina. The Middle Eastern District has been

[[Page E1477]]

a beacon of light in its community and has positively impacted 
generations of families in eastern North Carolina for a century and a 
half.
  The Middle Eastern District of the Original Free Will Baptist Church 
is one steeped in family, fellowship, and faith. Founded in 1868, two 
years after the U.S. Congress passed the 13th Amendment to abolish 
slavery, Brothers Daniel Davis, R.C. Jackson, T.H. Harrison, J.M. 
Barfield, and Reverend C.C. Forbes led the verification of the founding 
principles upon which the Middle Eastern District was rooted. In the 
early years, the Middle Eastern Conference was small, but that did not 
deter its leaders' devotion to spreading the word of God. The oldest 
components of the Middle Eastern Conference are the Bible Church 
School, the Women Home Mission, the Sunshine Band, and the Usher's 
Convention.
  Mr. Speaker, much of the Middle Eastern District's growth over the 
years can be attributed to the dedication and vision of its leadership. 
In the early 1950's, Reverend D.W. Dupree became Moderator, with Rev. 
G.W. Little serving as Vice Moderator. In 1957, Reverend K.L. Smith, 
who succeeded Reverend G.W. Little as Vice Moderator and would later 
become Moderator, organized the Young People Christian League (YPCL) 
Convention. Brother L.N. Forbes (now Bishop L.N. Forbes) was elected 
President of the YPCL Convention.
  In 1968, my personal friend, Elder L.N. Forbes, became Moderator and 
Elder Bernard Newsome served as Vice Moderator. The title ``Moderator'' 
was then changed to ``Bishop.'' Under Bishop L.N. Forbes' leadership, 
the Middle Eastern District of the Original Free Will Baptist Church 
continued to prosper and serve its community. In order to accommodate 
the rapidly growing attendance, the Conference meetings were moved to 
the Auditorium of Charles H. Darden Middle School in Wilson, North 
Carolina. As the Presiding Bishop, Bishop Forbes spearheaded the 
construction of the L.N. Forbes Tabernacle in Wilson, North Carolina, 
which was dedicated in 1975. The Choir Convention was organized in 
1983, recommended by Sister Sallie Dupree. In 1984, Brother Haywood 
Waters became the Editor of the quarterly Original Free Will Baptist 
news publication. In 1985, Bishop Forbes established the L.P. Manning 
Scholarship, which supported the educational pursuits of countless 
young people through the years. Bishop Forbes was the longest serving 
leader of the Middle Eastern District.
  Mr. Speaker, by the grace of God, the Middle Eastern District of the 
Original Free Will Baptist Church has been standing strong for 150 long 
years. Her outstanding leadership and devoted members have created 
significant growth in its membership and ministry, as well as, its 
continued outreach in the Wilson community and beyond. The Middle 
Eastern District's faithfulness and good deeds will ensure that it 
continues to experience God's blessings for years to come.
  On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the 
people of the First Congressional District of North Carolina, I 
commemorate the 150th anniversary of Middle Eastern District of the 
Original Free Will Baptist Church and extend my best wishes to its 
leadership and members (many of whom are dear friends) on this 
auspicious occasion.

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