[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 196 (Monday, December 9, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1562-E1563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE REV. DR. JACQUELINE A. THOMPSON

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 9, 2019

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rev. 
Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson in celebration of her installation as the 
Senior Pastor of the Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, 
California.
  Rev. Thompson was raised by a mother who believed in the importance 
of church. In her own words at the age of 12, Dr. Thompson realized 
that church was ``not to be just about singing and having a good time 
in the Lord. But rather there was a purpose and a mandate with a 
measurable objective''.
  After graduating from College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1993, 
Dr. Thompson began teaching history and politics. While teaching 
allowed her to positively impact lives in her community and while she 
loved teaching, she felt called to impact lives in a different way.
  In 1995, Dr. Thompson followed her calling and returned to her church 
family and was licensed to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was 
later ordained in 1998 by the Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. at 
Allen Temple Baptist Church.
  Later she attended Howard University School of Divinity where she 
excelled in academic scholarship, preaching and ministry. As a result, 
she received several awards including The Who's Who Among Students in 
American Colleges and Universities, The Ford Foundation Fellowship, and 
The Nannie Helen Burroughs Award.
  During her time at Howard University, she served as the Minister of 
Youth at the Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. Her love for 
teaching and affinity with youth allowed the young people in the 
Ministry to flourish under her leadership.
  Dr. Thompson graduated from Howard University in 1998 earning a 
Master of Divinity Degree with honors.

[[Page E1563]]

  In 2001, she was appointed Executive Director of the Shiloh Family 
Life Center Foundation, Inc. In this leadership position Dr. Thompson 
raised over 5 million dollars for non-profit outreach. This money 
allowed the church to grow and foster their Afterschool program, Senior 
Center, Day Care Center, HIV/AIDS program, Human Services Program, 
Community Computer Center, Debutante Program and Teen Mothers' 
Empowerment Program.
  In 2010, Dr. Thompson was installed as the Assistant Pastor of the 
Allen Temple Baptist Church--the first woman to ever serve in this 
capacity. In 2013, Dr. Thompson became a Doctor of Ministry in African 
American Church Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, 
California.
  Dr. Thompson has demonstrated that she is the right woman, for the 
right time, who has come ``for such a time as this'' to lead such a 
spirit filled congregation. Her sense of justice to serve the ``least 
of these, our brothers and sisters' in the manner described by our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ, will continue to be a hallmark of this 
historic church.
  Today, I join the Allen Temple Church Family and the greater East Bay 
community in celebrating her installation, as the first female Senior 
Pastor in the Church's 100-year history. As we look ahead to this new 
season in our church history, let us continue as Micah 6:8 reminds us 
``to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.''
  On behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, we 
congratulate Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson, as she is installed as 
the next pastor of the historic Allen Temple Baptist Church.

                          ____________________