[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 164 (Wednesday, September 22, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF 80 YEARS OF MESSIAS TEMPLE CHURCH

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2021

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Messias Temple 
Church located in Ypsilanti, Michigan on the occasion of their 80th 
anniversary. For the past eight decades, this church has been the 
embodiment of faith and service. Their commitment to serving the 
Ypsilanti community in the past, present, and future is worthy of 
commendation.
  Formed in 1940, a vision inspired Elder John T. Elders and Sister 
Laura Elders to create a sanctuary for the people of Ypsilanti. They 
began holding prayer meetings in a wooded area they named Messias Grove 
at the corner of Monroe and Hawkins and later in the home of the 
Barfields until they moved into their first church building on Monroe 
Street in 1941. Faithfulness, dedication, service, and spreading the 
word is what this church has focused on since their founding. Today, 
the vision of the Elders lives on through Bishop Harry Grayson, as he 
has led the Messias Temple congregation in faith and service for the 
past thirty years.
  In the years since that first meeting, Messias Temple Church has 
grown tremendously, and the church is known as a place where warmth, 
compassion, support, and fellowship will always be found. The 
congregation's charitable work has sustained those in their time of 
need. The ``We Care We Share'' outreach ministry provides hot meals and 
clothing for those in need. Through this program they have served over 
ten thousand neighbors. Additionally, they host a food pantry and run 
programs for local youth and families. Even when faced with challenges 
like the COVID-19 pandemic, this congregation has never faltered in 
their commitment to serving the people of the community and ensuring 
that they are taken care of. Their dedication to carrying out the 
teachings of their church is unparalleled.
  The Messias Temple Church has positively impacted the lives of so 
many through their outreach and for that we are grateful. The church 
has been under the steadfast leadership of Bishop Harry Grayson since 
1991 and has only grown since then. Their ministry reaches not only 
across Ypsilanti, but around the globe. Those who know the spirit of 
Bishop Grayson know his compassion, wisdom, and tireless devotion to 
our community and to the faith that drives him as a servant of God.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Messias 
Temple Church for their 80 years of faith and service. Please join me 
in congratulating Bishop Grayson and the entire Messias Temple 
congregation on eight faithful decades and in wishing them the best of 
luck in the years to come.

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