[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 17, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING GREATER SHADE GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

 Mr. OSSOFF. Mr. President, I rise to commend Columbus, 
Georgia's Greater Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church on its 160th 
anniversary, celebrated in August 2023. Founded in 1863 under a grape 
arbor in an oak grove as Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, the 
congregation has been a mainstay of the Columbus, GA, community ever 
since its founding by Brother Boston Miles and Sister Mary Moore, who 
became the church's first members.
  In August 1967, the First Baptist Church of Columbus, GA, granted 
full titles and deeds of the church building to the Shady Grove 
congregation, and on March 27, 1968, the Superior Court of Muscogee 
County duly incorporated the ``Greater Shady Grove Baptist Church, 
Inc,'' a name change to distinguish itself from other churches with the 
same name. In January 1988, the Reverend Dr. Marcus J. Gibson became 
the acting pastor and served in that capacity until April 17, 1998, 
when he was made interim pastor. On February 14, 1999, Reverend Gibson 
was installed as the 22nd pastor of the Greater Shady Grove Missionary 
Baptist Church, the same role he maintains today. Under Pastor Gibson's 
leadership, the congregation has continued to flourish, successfully 
expanding, improving the south parking lot, upgrading the 
transportation ministry, and remodeling the sanctuary. Greater Shady 
Grove Missionary Baptist Church has also added new ministries and 
programs, including the annual women's and laymen's conferences, 
outreach ministry expansion and improvements, the organization of the 
liturgical dance ministry, the mother ministry, the organization of the 
sick, bereavement and condolence ministry, and initiating of the 
deacons family care. Above all, Greater Shady Grove Baptist Church 
remains a central place for fellowship, community, teaching, and 
nurturing.
  As Georgia's U.S. Senator, I commend Reverend Marcus J. Gibson and 
the Greater Shady Grove Baptist Church on its momentous 160th 
anniversary, and here is to many more.

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