[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 62 (Thursday, April 11, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E336-E337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND DR. TOMMIE L. LEWIS AS PASTOR OF 
              BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH PRATT CITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2024

  Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
career of a faithful servant leader, Reverend Dr. Tommie L. Lewis, as 
he celebrates his retirement as senior pastor of Bethel Missionary 
Baptist Church Pratt City after 42 years of service to the Birmingham 
community.
  Pastor T.L. Lewis answered the call to ministry on January 6, 1973, 
becoming licensed to preach at the Shady Grove Missionary Baptist 
Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and was ordained by incumbent Reverend 
G.W. Sloan on July 29, 1973.
  Pastor Lewis is an accomplished biblical scholar. He attended the 
Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College, earning a Bachelor of Arts 
and a Bachelor of Theology before earning a Master of Divinity degree 
at Universal Bible Institute in Brunswick, Georgia. Pastor Lewis 
received two honorary doctoral degrees from both his alma maters for 
his contributions to ministry through his public service.
  Pastor Lewis accepted his first pastoral assignment at the First 
Baptist Church Carver in Bessemer, Alabama. He then served at the 
Antioch Baptist Church in Gadsden, Alabama. In 1982, Pastor Lewis was 
commissioned to his final home in Birmingham as head pastor of Bethel 
Baptist Church Pratt City, where he has remained for the past 42 years 
of his career.
  During his tenure, Pastor Lewis has served ``Bethel Nation,'' well, 
expanding its congregation to thousands and positioning the church to 
its status as a beacon of hope in the Pratt City community. Pastor 
Lewis' legacy has been fueled by his servant's heart, commitment to 
community, and passion for improving the lives of others. His position 
as a powerful force for good extends far beyond the sanctuary walls.
  Pastor Lewis has dedicated his life to building a coalition of 
community servants that will far outlast him. His tutelage led to 
fifty-three

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others heeding the call to ministry that Pastor Lewis himself answered 
fifty-two years ago. In 1990, the Bethel Baptist Church erected a new 
Worship Center, including a sanctuary with a seating capacity of 1800, 
an office plaza, a conference room, a library, and a nursery. Pastor 
Lewis worked to expand Bethel's community service by commissioning a 
new Family Life Center. This building also became a permanent home for 
the Bethel Community Learning Center, which garnered thousands of state 
and federal dollars to support community development and education 
initiatives.
  Tragically, in April of 2011, these buildings were destroyed by a 
devastating tornado. In the face of adversity, Pastor Lewis did not 
hesitate to spring into action, leaning on his faith to rally his 
community together and restore their church home. He then established 
the Bethel Emergency Management Agency, which led the restoration and 
revitalization efforts of Bethel Baptist Church Pratt City and the 
surrounding community. Pastor Lewis facilitated the construction of a 
new sanctuary beginning in April 2012, and the new home of Bethel 
Nation was completed and consecrated on August 24, 2014.
  In addition to his leadership in Birmingham, Pastor Lewis has also 
been the guiding force behind international missions, spreading his 
spiritual teachings across the globe. He has delivered sermons on 
different continents throughout the world. No matter how far his 
ministry has taken him, Pastor Lewis has always remained committed to 
home. He has displayed his commitment to public service through his 
leadership and religious affiliations, which include the Pratt City 
Ministerial Alliance, the Birmingham Metropolitan Baptist Ministerial 
Conference, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
  Beyond his work in the clergy, Pastor Lewis' civic affiliations 
include former Captain for the Bessemer Police and Fire Department 
Chaplaincy Corps, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Jefferson 
County Transit Authority, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the 
Jefferson County Commission of Economic Opportunity, and State 
President for the National Rainbow Push Coalition. Pastor Lewis was 
honored by the Magic City in 1988 with his induction into the City of 
Birmingham's Gallery of Distinguished Citizens--a bust of him is 
displayed in the Birmingham City Hall to commemorate this achievement.
  On a personal note, Pastor T.L. Lewis holds a special place in my 
heart as a dear friend and trusted spiritual advisor. I was honored to 
host Pastor Lewis at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., 
as one of the first pastors in our district to attend. I know I can 
always count on his wise words and counsel when I need inspiration. 
Pastor Lewis' mentorship has meant so much to me over the years and has 
positively impacted me as a public servant. After the devastating 
storms of 2011, Pastor Lewis' leadership and faith were a beacon of 
hope for me and so many others as we rebuilt. His deep love for his 
community renews my passion for public service and reminds me of why I 
am in Washington. I am proud to congratulate him for his 42 years of 
service to the Bethel Baptist Church Pratt City congregation and 
surrounding community. Though he is retiring, I know his service will 
not end here, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.
  On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary leadership and 
exemplary service of Reverend Dr. T.L. Lewis and his contributions to 
the Birmingham community and the State of Alabama as the senior pastor 
of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Pratt City.

                          ____________________