[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 135 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E708-E709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF BISHOP L.D. SKINNER, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2020

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay homage to an outstanding 
man of God, dedicated servant, and dear friend of longstanding, Bishop 
L.D. Skinner, Sr. Bishop Skinner transitioned from labor to reward on 
Saturday, July 18, 2020, at the age of 69. His homegoing service will 
be held on Friday, July 31, 2020, at the River Mill Event Centre in 
Columbus, Georgia. He leaves behind a loving family, a dedicated church 
family, and an appreciative community for his extraordinary life of 
serving God and humankind.
  Bishop L.D. Skinner, Sr. was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, 
to the union of Richard, Sr. and Alethia Bembry Skinner. He always had 
a thirst for knowledge and improving himself. A highly educated man, 
Bishop Skinner graduated from the North Carolina College of Theology 
with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, A Master of Arts in 
Theology, and a Doctor of Theology Degree. He also earned a Doctor of 
Divinity Degree from Christ United Theological School.
  He was a man of God who was devoted to his calling. He was the 
Founder and Senior Pastor of the Bread of Life Christian Center and the 
Founder and Presiding Prelate of Explosion Ministries Fellowship of 
Interdenominational Ministers. A gifted teacher and mentor, Bishop 
Skinner guided many in their ministerial calling.
  But Bishop Skinner also knew that involvement in his community was an 
integral part of his calling as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus 
Christ. Accordingly, he was involved in many social and civic 
organizations that had as their purpose the uplift of humankind. He 
served as Vice President of the Columbus Interdenominational 
Ministerial Alliance, Vice President of the Columbus NAACP, Chaplain 
and Counselor at the House of Mercy, Volunteer Chaplain at Jack T. 
Rutledge Correctional Institution, a member of Dr. Creflo Dollar's 
Ministerial Association, Board Member of the Columbus Salvation Army, 
the Columbus NAACP, and the Urban League of Greater Columbus.
  A man of many talents, he was also a gifted author. During his 
lifetime, he authored four

[[Page E709]]

books to include: Overcoming Grasshopper Mentality; How to Whip 
Negative Thinking in Eleven Easy Steps; Prayer an Awesome Weapon; 
Encounters with God; and his final publication, Ordered Stops. These 
books help to impart his message as given by God to a broader audience 
as he impacted the world for Jesus Christ.
  Mother Teresa once said that ``At the end of life we will be judged 
by whether we lived to the standard set by Jesus who said: ``I was 
hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was naked, and you clothed 
me, I was homeless, and you took me in.'' Bishop L.D. Skinner, Sr. 
lived his life to help other people because of his love for Jesus 
Christ, and humankind is better because he traveled this way.
  Bishop Skinner accomplished much in his life, but none of it would 
have been possible with the Grace of God and the love and support of 
his wife, partner and co-laborer in the ministry, Lady Ruth McDaniel 
Skinner, his three sons, Darius, Darnell, and Darryl and his eight 
grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family but will also be 
missed by his community and all of those that he touched in his unique 
way.
  On a personal note, I will always appreciate the support that Bishop 
Skinner provided me over the years. As he did for so many others, his 
counsel and wisdom provided me with an unvarnished truth that helped me 
to deal with tough issues. He always had an open door and an open 
heart. For that, I will be forever grateful.
  Madam Speaker, my wife, Vivian and I along with countless others 
throughout Georgia and the nation salute Bishop L.D. Skinner, Sr. for 
his distinguished accomplishments in the ministry and his humble 
service to humankind. I ask my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives to join us in extending our deepest sympathies to 
Bishop Skinner's family, friends, loved ones, and all those who mourn 
during this difficult time of bereavement. We pray that they will be 
consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the 
days, weeks, and months ahead.

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