[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E433-E434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY AND PROLIFIC MINISTRY OF THE REVEREND DOCTOR 
                            WAYNE DEAN BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2024

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my 
heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to a loving husband, 
dedicated father, exceptional mentor, devoted leader, faithful servant 
of God, and friend of longstanding, The Reverend Doctor Wayne Dean 
Baker, as he concludes 40 years of dedicated service as the Senior 
Pastor of the Spirit Filled Ministries Church in Columbus, Georgia. A 
special celebration commemorating this special occasion will occur at 
the church on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
  Reverend Dr. Wayne Dean Baker, a man of humble beginnings, was born 
and raised in rural Russell County, Alabama. His thirst for knowledge 
led him to graduate from Oliver High School in 1966 and later, in 1971, 
from Grambling State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 
Business Administration. However, it was in the same year that his life 
took a significant turn when he met the love of his life and lifelong 
sweetheart, Rita Delynn Howard. They were united in Holy Matrimony in 
1974.
  Dr. Baker experienced another life-altering event in 1975 when he was 
converted to Christianity in a shopping center in Cleveland, Ohio. 
Subsequently, Dr. Baker was licensed to preach in 1976 and was ordained 
in 1979. His ministerial journey led him to Pastor several churches, 
including Pleasant Grove, Peace and Goodwill, and Wayman Chapel in the 
African Methodist Episcopal Church.
  The scripture says, ``Where there is no vision, the people perish.'' 
Frustrated by the tenets of liberal theology, Dr. Baker founded Spirit 
Filled Ministries in 1984. During his tenure as Pastor, he has preached 
over Ten Thousand Sermons, but more importantly, he has brought 
countless souls to Jesus Christ. Under his guidance, the church has 
flourished spiritually, numerically, and in its physical facilities. 
Doctor Baker has used his television ministry at Spirit Filled to reach 
the community in furtherance of Kingdom business here on earth.
  Dr. Baker has never been one to rest on his laurels and has 
constantly expanded his educational horizons for the advancement of God 
and His people. He enrolled in Moody Graduate School to pursue a Master 
of Arts in Ministry. In 2018, he earned his Master of Divinity from 
Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia, Georgia. He also earned his Doctor of 
Ministry from Luther Rice. Furthermore, he has pursued Ph.D. studies at 
Columbia Biblical Seminary.

[[Page E434]]

  Dr. Baker's work for God has not been limited to the community of 
Columbus, Georgia, as he has taught, lectured and conducted revivals on 
a global basis, including in South Korea and Germany. A voracious 
writer and biblical scholar, Dr. Baker has authored eight books: Clay 
in the Master's Hand; Biblical Theology of Goals; Evangelism; Freedom 
Prayers; Ministry Handbook; New Members Handbook; The Case of Ham 
Revisited; and the White Jesus Myth Revisited. It has been said that 
``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on 
this earth.'' Dr. Baker has paid his rent and he has paid it well.
  On a personal note, Dr. Baker has been a special friend for over four 
decades. We have enjoyed early morning competition on the golf course 
with friends during which he shared sage advice and counsel for which I 
will always be grateful. He never told me what I wanted to hear; he 
always told me what he felt I needed to hear. Dr. Baker has inspired 
and mentored many with his sterling example of what a man of God should 
be.
  He has accomplished much in his life, but none of it would have been 
possible without the grace of God, the love and support of his wife of 
50 years, Rita; his children, Zephaniah, Christian, Jonathan; his 
grandchildren, and other family members.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join my wife Vivan and me, along with the 765,000 people of Georgia's 
Second Congressional District in celebrating the extraordinary and 
prolific ministry of the Reverend Doctor Wayne Dean Baker as he enters 
a new chapter in his life after 40 years of service to God at Spirit 
Filled Ministries.

                          ____________________