[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 8, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E596-E597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING TRUE LIGHT M.B. CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
history of True Light M. B. Church.
  In 1934, approximately 43 members marched with candles from Morning 
Star Baptist Church on Kane Street to a small store on East Bell Street 
in Jackson, Mississippi. Rev. J. H. Sims was the founder and first 
pastor of True Light M. B. Church. A few of the pioneers were Mary Lee 
Hicks, Sarah Lynn, Pearlina Smith and Rev. James Thomas. Rev. Sims 
served True Light faithfully until his departure. Then, Rev. Will 
Robinson was installed as the second pastor of True Light and served 
for three years. Under Rev. Robinson's leadership, the membership 
relocated from the store on Bell Street to a wooden framed building in 
the back of True Light Church present location.
  Reverend (Dr.) Robert H. Walls was the third and most tenured pastor 
of True Light. He was a licensed minister from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 
and joined True Light in 1935 along with his wife, Leatha Warren Walls. 
After Rev. Robinson departure, the church asked Rev. Walls to serve as 
Pastor until they decided to call a pastor. The church made great 
progress under his leadership, and the membership increased. Because of 
this progress, Rev. Walls was ordained to preach the Gospel. In April 
of 1940, the church asked Rev. Walls to serve as True Light's Pastor, 
and he accepted this calling of God.
  Because of the church's growth, a survey revealed a need for 
additional space. To address this need, the church purchased two lots 
with a seven-room house. Uplifting services were held in a small wood 
framed building on the recently purchased property. The continued 
growth created the need for a modern church building. The church 
borrowed $10,000 to construct the building. Pastor Walls drew on a 
brown paper bag a sketch of the present edifice. Pastor Walls once 
stated, ``True Light Church was spiritually built.'' He had never 
constructed a building before but became a ``Master Builder.'' For five 
years, day and night, he toiled. He had many sleepless nights and cried 
many tears, but he kept on working and had faith that God would surely 
see them through. In 1953, the church marched into our present edifice. 
The church began full-time worship service in 1961. True Light Church 
was one of the first Black churches in the City of Jackson and the 
first Black church to be constructed with bricks in the City of 
Jackson.
  In 2001, after Pastor Walls entered the evening time of his life, 
Reverend Marvin Adams began to serve as Interim Pastor of True Light. 
Rev. Adams and his family were long time members of True Light Church. 
Thus, he was familiar with the membership and the various ministries. 
He was installed as the fourth Pastor of True Light that same year. 
Under Rev. Adams leadership, three ministers served as Associate 
Ministers: Carlos Casanova, Henry Taylor, and James Thomas. Brother 
Clarence James was ordained as a deacon. The interior sanctuary was 
renovated, and a Vesta View added to accommodate members and visitors 
waiting to enter the sanctuary. The church purchased a 47-seat 
passenger bus and carpeting was placed in the dining area of the 
Fellowship Hall. A Dance Ministry and Food and Clothing Ministry were 
organized. Rev. Adams faithfully served as Pastor of True Light Church 
for three years.
  In March of 2006, God sent the church a spirit-filled anointed man of 
His choice, Marcus E. Cheeks. Pastor Cheeks was installed as the fifth 
pastor of True Light Church. He is an educator by trade holding degrees 
from Tougaloo College, Jackson State University and soon to be the 
University of Mississippi. Pastor Cheeks believes that a church's main 
focus should be in growing spiritually. He has the belief that through 
faithful study, dedication to the Word, and an intimate daily walk with 
Jesus Christ, the Lord will surely use him to glorify His Kingdom. 
Under his leadership, four ministers have served as Associate 
Ministers, Carlos Casanova, Henry Taylor, James Thomas, and Darrel 
Woullard, Sr. Five Deacons, Leroy Carter, Marc Clay, Curtis Holmes, Lee 
Lyle, and Harvey Marshall have been ordained. In addition, True Light's 
ministries have increased to include a Couples Ministry, an Outreach 
Ministry, Small Group Study platform for all Christian teachings, and 
the implementation of the Unity Drive designed to increase our personal 
and financial commitments to God. The church has purchased three 
adjacent properties for future growth. Physical renovations have taken 
place in several areas of the church: the Pastor's Study,

[[Page E597]]

church sanctuary and restrooms, parking lot, technology has been added 
to Leatha Walls Educational Complex and the purchase of an additional 
church minibus. Most importantly, Pastor Cheeks has provided a vision 
into the future, with fervent prayer, focused commitment and faithful 
service united with our Lord and Savior, ``One in Jesus.''
  True Light Missionary Baptist Church has made significant 
contributions to the community, state and Nation by being actively 
involved in the Midtown Community, the Jackson District Missionary 
Baptist Association, the Jackson District Congress of Christian 
Education, General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi 
and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the history 
of True Light Missionary Baptist Church.

                          ____________________