[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 13, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING PASTOR JAMES L. BETNER'S 20 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE DELAWARE 
                         VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY KIM

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2019

  Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pastor James L. 
Betner, a leader in the Baptist church and dedicated servant to his 
community, for 20 years of leadership at the Delaware Valley Baptist 
Church.
  Dr. Betner has led Delaware Valley Baptist Church through a 
remarkable period of revitalization over the past 20 years, which has 
grown the congregation's ability to positively impact their community. 
Under Dr. Betner's leadership, the church has grown spiritually, as 
well as in size. He has led Delaware Valley Baptist Church to build and 
expand into a new worship center and has aided in the spiritual 
development of countless men and women. Dr. Betner also serves as a 
denominational leader within the Baptist Resource Network (BRN) of 
Pennsylvania and South Jersey, serving most recently as the Healthy 
Church Catalyst for all the affiliated churches in South Jersey. Pastor 
James is a recognized leader and one of the longest tenured and most 
respected pastors in the BRN.
  Pastor Betner has also led the church to establish its own community 
development corporation, the New Vision CDC. The New Vision 
organization prioritizes education, economic development and 
employment. Through this organization and Dr. Betner's leadership the 
CDC has partnered with the Food Bank of South Jersey to serve as a food 
and clothing pantry in Burlington county serving over 1,000 people 
annually. The CDC also has provided an annual low-cost summer camp to 
school age children in the community and has given out scholarships to 
rising high school seniors and college freshmen annually.
  Dr. Betner's life of service has created educational opportunities 
for young people and helped grow the Delaware Valley Baptist Church's 
ability to effect change in South Jersey. Dr. Betner's commitment to 
the betterment of our community is deeply valued by all New Jerseyans, 
and we look forward to seeing the positive impacts of his legacy for 
years to come. I thank and congratulate Dr. Betner for his 20 years of 
service to our community.

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