[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 201 (Wednesday, December 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1175-E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE THIRTIETH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY OF BISHOP DARRYL 
                           SYLVESTER BRISTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate three 
decades of faithful, phenomenal leadership from an outstanding New 
Orleans Minister, Bishop Darryl Sylvester Brister.
  Bishop Darryl Sylvester Brister is the Second Presiding Bishop in the 
Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International and was born in New 
Orleans, Louisiana on September 26, 1966. He received his license to 
preach in 1989 and was ordained on May 1, 1992, under the 
administration of Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr.
  On January 26, 1996, at the age of 29; he was consecrated to the 
highest position in the church, the office of a Bishop. He is the 
Apostle/Overseer of Beacon Light International Ministries and Senior 
Pastor and Teacher of Beacon Light International Baptist Cathedral New 
Orleans since 1993, where the membership exceeded 7,000 active members 
before Hurricane Katrina.
  During Hurricane Katrina, church buildings in New Orleans were 
destroyed and most of the members of the Beacon Light Family were 
dispersed across the United States. Bishop Brister served tirelessly 
after the storm and worked to rebuild the Cathedral, which reopened 
coincidently on August 29, 2014, exactly nine years after Hurricane 
Katrina. Beacon Light International Baptist Cathedral New Orleans is 
once again a thriving ministry in the city of New Orleans that 
continues rebuilding one day at a time.
  Bishop Brister has ministered the Word of God in several countries 
and continents, such as Japan, Holland, Panama, Korea, Iceland, Africa, 
Trinidad, Tortola, and Europe. Bishop Brister attended Louisiana State 
University and later joined and received an honorable discharge from 
the United States Army. He received a Bachelor of Theology Degree from 
McKinley Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, a 
Doctor of Ministry, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies 
from Friends International Christian University.
  Understanding that ministry extends beyond the confines of the church 
building, Bishop Brister is a man on a mission to reach lost souls. As 
President & CEO of DSB International Ministries, a non-profit 
organization, Bishop Brister, reaches those incarcerated by providing 
them with spiritual reading materials and daily devotionals. The Darryl 
S. Brister Scholarship Fund supports graduating seniors entering 
college and assists high school students with the purchase of school 
uniforms.
  Bishop Brister has received numerous awards, and his leadership 
ability has been recognized throughout the world. In April 2010, he was 
inducted into the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of 
Preachers. He was featured in the 1995 November edition of Ebony 
Magazine as one of the Top 50 Leaders of Tomorrow, the January 2000 
issue of Upscale Magazine's Millennium Tribute to America's Most 
Outstanding Pastors, the September/October 2002 & 2005 issue of Gospel 
Today as one of The World's Most Loved Pastors, and the 2004 New 
Orleans City Business Success Guide. Most recently, Bishop Brister has 
been featured in the Who's Who of Houston, TX, and was featured on the 
cover of an edition of Epitome Magazine in 2013.
  Bishop Brister has authored nine books that have ministered to 
thousands entitled, Exposing the Enemy, The Monster Within, Recovering 
from Ruptured Relationships, Don't Fight the Process, Talk To Me 
Afterwards, Look To the Hills, Living the Dream, Doing Right In A Wrong 
World and most recently Against All Odds: Turning Obstacles into 
Opportunities.
  In March of 1999, Bishop Brister and the Beacon Light Mass Choir 
released their first CD entitled, It's All About Him. He serves as 
President and Founder of the Darryl S. Brister Bible College and 
Theological Seminary, which was established in August 1999, and is the 
Founder of the Beacon Light Christian Academy, which was established in 
August 2002. He is the Apostle/Overseer of the Beacon Light Baptist 
Church of Houma, LA, Beacon Light Baptist Church of Hammond, LA, Beacon 
Light Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, LA, Beacon Light of Haiti at New 
Orleans, and Beacon Light Community Church of Panama City, FL. Bishop 
Brister birthed Beacon Light International Cathedral of Houston, TX 
after Hurricane Katrina, which is currently in an inactive status.
  Bishop Darryl S. Brister is married to Dionne Flot Brister and is the 
father of five children. He is a man of vision whose life embraces 
destiny and purpose. He is committed to serving God, dedicated to 
following wherever God may lead, and excited as God continues to do new 
things within his life and ministry.
  The Greater New Orleans Community is blessed to have him as a 
spiritual leader to so many. I am proud to say I can call him a dear 
friend and prayer warrior throughout my entire political career, 
respecting the guidance and support he gives to me. I am forever 
grateful for his friendship, love, and guidance, and will forever carry 
his direction as I serve the Constituents of LA02. I congratulate him 
on thirty years of spiritual leadership and may he see many more years 
serving individuals across the country.

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