[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 65 (Monday, April 15, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING REVEREND DR. C. NATHAN EDWERS 30TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 15, 2019

  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, It is my sincere honor to recognize a dear 
friend, Reverend Dr. Collie Nathan Edwers, who this year celebrates his 
30th Pastoral Anniversary at the Friendship Worship Center in Mount 
Vernon.
  Nathan, as he is best known, was born in Newark, New Jersey to the 
union of Bishop Collie Edwers and the late Mother Dorothy Edwers. He is 
the third child born to this family of seven. He was raised in the 
quiet suburban community of North Edison, New Jersey. He was educated 
in the Edison High School system until his parents relocated to 
Metuchen, New Jersey during his junior year of High School. It was 
during this time of his adolescent years that Nathan felt and responded 
to the call of God on his life. At the age of sixteen, Nathan preached 
his initial sermon at St. Mark U.F.W. Baptist Church, the same church 
where his father baptized him.
  Upon High School graduation, Nathan continued his education through 
the encouragement of his parents. Nathan was directed to pursue his 
undergraduate education at Northeastern Bible College in Essex Falls, 
New Jersey. During his senior year of study, Nathan was approached by 
the officers of Calvary U.F.W. Baptist Church to serve as their next 
Pastor. In May of 1983, Nathan was elected as their Pastor and assumed 
that responsibility on the Fifth Sunday. During this time Nathan 
decided against the advice of his father, to discontinue his education 
at Northeastern Bible College in order to move full attention to the 
Church. During his six years tenure as Pastor, Nathan was very 
fortunate to meet his darling wife, Aro Denise Harper. Out of this 
union were born two, children, Eric and Sherri. Both of his children 
are adults and are successful in their life choice career.
  In January 1989, Nathan answered the call as the First Family of 
Little Friendship Unified Free Will Baptist Church. During his ministry 
at Friendship Church, the Lord added to his family his son, Eric Nathan 
Edwers. In October of 1997, Pastor Edwers began the process to acquire 
Temple Emanuel Jewish Center in Mount Vernon, which was up for sale. In 
January 1998 the church agreed to modify its name by removing the word 
``little'' from its former name known as ``Little Friendship Unified 
Free Will Baptist Church''. Bishop Edwers led the church into a $1.3 
million dollar relocation expansion program, and on August 16, 1998 he 
marched the ``Friendship Unified Free Will Baptist Church'' and 
hundreds of friends into their new home, renamed the Friendship Worship 
Center in September 1998.
  Madam Speaker, Friendship Worship has grown by leaps and bounds 
thanks to Nathan and Denise Edwers. On this special occasion, I want to 
congratulate the pastor on 30 wonderful years, and thank him for all he 
has done in the community.

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