[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 127 (Friday, July 29, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF PASTOR EDDIE D. SMITH, SR.

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2022

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
dedicated man of God, dedicated family man, visionary leader, and 
friend of longstanding Pastor Eddie Smith on his retirement as the 
Pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. His 
retirement will be celebrated at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Macon, 
Georgia, on August 7, 2022, at 3:00 pm.
  Pastor Smith is a native of Macon, Georgia, born to the union of the 
late Pastor Jack Smith, Jr., and Mrs. Mattie Mae Myers Smith. A highly 
educated man, Pastor Smith attended Bibb County public schools and went 
on to earn a Bachelor and a Master of Science from Fort Valley State 
College, now Fort Valley State University. On April 26, 1969, Pastor 
Smith received a calling that would change his life forever--he was 
called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Smith served as a 
classroom teacher and a media specialist in the Bibb County Public 
School system for fourteen years before retiring to serve full-time at 
Macedonia Church, accepting the role of pastor in 1972. While 
pastoring, he was also called to public service, serving as a Macon 
City Councilman from 1975 through 1978, as well as a member of the Bibb 
County Board of Education for two consecutive terms.
  The scripture reminds us in Proverbs 29 that ``where there is no 
vision, the people perish.'' Pastor Smith's vision for Macedonia was 
evident from the very beginning of his ministry. In his early years at 
Macedonia, Pastor Smith led the congregation in raising the funds to 
pay off the church's fifteen-year mortgage in a record five years. In 
1999, Pastor Smith led Macedonia Baptist in the purchasing of a 
struggling sister church. Together, they relocated and revived the 
church's congregation, and liquidated its $1.35 million debt in under 
three years. In more recent years, he oversaw the funding and 
construction of the $1.7 million dollar Family Life Center, a 
comprehensive faith-based service ministry that educates clergy across 
middle Georgia. Over the course of his ministry, Pastor Smith has 
licensed and ordained more than forty-five ministers, extending the 
reach of his servant leadership to the members of many congregations 
throughout the region.
  Also, he led his flock through the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing 
community-wide food distribution services and virtual church services 
and tithing, while ensuring all bills were paid and no church staff 
lost their jobs.
  Shirley Chisholm once said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for 
the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Pastor Smith has paid 
his rent and he has paid well. Pastor Smith's service has extended 
beyond the walls of the church, as he has been affiliated with several 
social and civic organizations throughout his career. He has served on 
the boards of the United Way, the American Cancer Society, the Macon 
Ministerial Association, and the Macon Police and Firefighter 
Disciplinary Hearing Board.
  Pastor Eddie Smith has always fought for what is right. He is guided 
by his love of God and his love of people. Mother Teresa once said that 
``at the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have 
received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have 
done. We will be judged by ``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.'' This is how Pastor Eddie Smith has lived his life and served 
people in the name of Jesus Christ.
  At the center of Pastor Smith's accomplished life is the unwavering 
love and support of his family and his loving wife, Martha Kate. Pastor 
Smith is the father of five adult children: Suwandia; Eddie, Jr.; Corey 
and the late Alvy Smith and Edwanna Smith Stephens. He is the 
grandfather of fourteen and great-grandfather of three.
  On a personal note, Pastor Smith has been my friend for many years. 
He has never told me what I wanted to hear, but he has always told me 
what he felt I needed to hear. I will be forever grateful for his wise 
advice and sage counsel.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian; and me, 
along with the more than 730,000 people of the Second Congressional 
District, The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church family and entire 
Macon community, in extending our sincerest appreciation and best 
wishes to Pastor Eddie D. Smith, Sr. upon the occasion of his 
retirement as Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church and his many years of 
humble service to humanity.

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