[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4664]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              BROOKLAND BAPTIST CHURCH'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the Good Book teaches us 
that the perseverance of a faithful few can touch the lives of many for 
the better. During the late 1800s in New Brookland, South Carolina, a 
small group of men and women met together for prayer and worship. By 
1902, the group had grown and the Brookland Baptist Church was founded.
  For decades, the church has been a refuge of hope, and the church 
began a new chapter in 1971 when Rev. Charles B. Jackson, Sr., became 
their ninth pastor at the age of 18. Attracting large crowds of over 
4,000 members, the church bought and renovated a nearby shopping 
center. I am honored that Earl Brown, a deacon, is my special 
assistant.
  Today, the church serves the community through HIV-AIDS program, 
homeless outreach, the Black Male Conference, scouting programs, 
recreational and tutorial programs, and has even organized a full-
service credit union. The church is one of South Carolina's largest 
African American congregations.
  This year, as Brookland Baptist Church celebrates its 100th 
anniversary, it is very easy to see how this once-small group of 
believers has grown to make the lives of those around them immeasurably 
improved for the better.

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