[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 7, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PASTOR GREGORY CHRISTOPHER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 7, 2024

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my dear 
friend Pastor Gregory Christopher and to recognize his decades of 
service to Tacoma's Shiloh Baptist Church and the greater Pierce County 
community.
  Pastor Christopher was called to the Ministry in 1989 and studied 
under the Pastoral leadership of Pastor Lonnie Brown at The Body of 
Christ Christian Church in Tacoma, Washington. He began his tenure with 
Shiloh Baptist Church in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood in 1993. where 
he is the Senior Pastor, and will be retiring this February 2024.
  In his 23 years on the pulpit, Pastor Christopher has created a 
legacy that puts him on hallowed ground. His dedication to his 
community and his faith places him in the same breath as the legendary 
Black faith leaders of Tacoma, including the late Rev. Earnest Brazill, 
who was Pastor Christopher's mentor at Shiloh Baptist Church. In 
addition to his congregational leadership, Pastor Christopher also 
serves on the Tacoma Ministerial Alliance, and is an At-Large Board 
Member of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
  Pastor Christopher has been a fierce and tireless leader outside the 
Church as well. He is a compassionate advocate for folks experiencing 
homelessness, a champion for racial representation, and a catalyst for 
policy solutions to improve the lives of African Americans in Tacoma 
and throughout the greater Puget Sound region. His work has been 
demonstrated through his service as the President of the Tacoma branch 
of the NAACP, his membership in the Tacoma Pierce County Black 
Collective, and his past service on the board of the Tacoma Urban 
League.
  Pastor Christopher has been at the center of efforts to promote 
racial justice and religious social services for decades, working to 
boost inclusivity through expanding partnerships with marginalized 
communities within Pierce County. His leadership and his mission to 
empower the community have shaped our community for the better.
  Mr. Speaker, beyond detailing all his many accomplishments, I'd also 
like to express my gratitude for the partner that Pastor Christopher 
has been to my office and to me personally. I'm proud to call Pastor 
Christopher a friend and have appreciated his sage advice throughout my 
career. While we will miss him at Shiloh, I am happy that he will have 
more time with his family, including his wife, Evelyn, who also is a 
leader in the community, his children, grandchildren, and great 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Pastor Gregory Christopher in 
the United States Congress.

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