[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 136 (Friday, August 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE CLEAR LAKE AME CHURCH FOR ITS CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 16, 2019

  Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Clear Lake 
African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) for nearly three decades of 
Christian ministry in the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas, and the 
dedication of their new church home. The church is growing, both in 
membership and spiritual richness, and has embraced its mission 
statement, ``Kingdom Building, One Soul at a Time.''
  The first meeting to organize an AME church in the Clear Lake City 
area began with prayer and praise on August 18, 1992, in the home of 
Reverend Brenda Payne and her family. Bro. Jerry Payne led the praise 
service, Presiding Elder X.L. Williams of the South Houston District 
read the scripture, and Rev. Payne offered prayer. There were nine 
adults and five children present at the very first worship service.
  In October 1992, at the Texas Annual Conference held at Shiloh AME 
Church in Galveston, Texas, Bishop John R. Bryant formally gave Rev. 
Brenda Payne an appointment to begin a mission church in the Clear Lake 
area. On November 29, 1992, Clear Lake AME held its first 11 AM worship 
service at the Piper's Meadow Community Center in Webster, Texas. Bible 
study continued initially in the home of the pastor until it was moved 
to the Piper's Meadow Community Center in July 1993. Clear Lake added 
Sunday Church School at Piper's Meadow on January 9, 1994.
  On March 3, 1995, Clear Lake AME glorified God for the first time in 
a new ``home'' located on El Camino Real road. The Nehemiah Ministry, 
under the direction of Wilbert Williams, built an altar and carpeted 
the pulpit area, helping to transform the former office space into a 
church sanctuary. On April 16, 1996, Clear Lake AME Church purchased 
3.5 acres near the NASA Johnson Space Center and the University of 
Houston--Clear Lake. This land is believed to be the first church 
property purchased by African Americans in the historic Clear Lake 
area.
  In October 1999, Clear Lake AME Church joined with Primm Chapel AME 
Church, LaMarque, Reedy Chapel AME Church, Galveston, and St. James AME 
Church, Dickinson to form the ``Mainland 4.'' The four churches, though 
small in numerical size, hosted the Texas Annual Conference.
  At the 134th Session of the Texas Annual Conference in October 2000, 
Bishop McKinley Young appointed Rev. Arthur Ferguson Pastor of Clear 
Lake AME Church. Rev. Arthur Ferguson preached the gospel of peace, 
love, and reconciliation, preparing the church to grow and become a 
beacon in the Clear Lake community.
  On Saturday, November 18, 2006, at the Post Conference Planning 
Meeting of the Texas Annual Conference, Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram, 
Presiding Prelate, appointed Reverend Kevin L. Hodge to serve as Pastor 
of Clear Lake AME Church. Pastor Hodge and his new bride, First Lady 
LaShawn Hodge, came with a vision to take the congregation ``to the 
next level'' of spiritual growth, church construction, and church 
expansion. On Sunday, July 1, 2007, Clear Lake AME moved the 
congregation to its current location on Sea Lark Road.
  On Sunday, February 17, 2013, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie moved 
Pastor and Sister Hodge to a ministry at Shiloh AME Church in 
Galveston, Texas. On Saturday, March 8, 2013, Reverend Derrick Cyprian 
was appointed Pastor of Clear Lake AME Church. Rev. Cyprian, his wife 
Chalita, and their two sons, Derrick and Jared, came with excitement 
and a desire to help the community reach their committed goals: to grow 
spiritually, increase God's kingdom, and build a home sanctuary to 
house Clear Lake AME Church ministries.
  The Clear Lake African Methodist Episcopal Church is committed to 
fulfilling the Great Commission through worship, fellowship, youth 
programs, outreach initiatives, and Christian education. The Lord has 
used this church as an amazing witness, and we are privileged to have 
such a place of worship in the 36th Congressional District of Texas.

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