[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21163]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


   RECOGNIZING THE 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF 
                           BUSHNELL, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 27, 2007

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the 120th anniversary of the founding of the First Baptist 
Church of Bushnell, Florida. At 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 29, the Church 
will officially celebrate their anniversary with a ringing of the 
church bells. Founded only thirty-four years after Sumter County, where 
Bushnell is located, the Church has stood the test of time.
  The mission of the First Baptist Church is one of love, compassion, 
sharing and personal growth. The Church believes in ``Sharing the good 
news of life through faith in Christ, developing Christians into mature 
followers of Christ, celebrating God's presence with joyful worship, 
building a family of friends through acceptance, support and 
encouragement and ministering with love to the needs of people.''
  Following the ringing of the church bells, the congregation will 
celebrate a morning worship service that will include music and a 
message from the Rev. Charles Roesel, retired senior pastor of First 
Baptist Church of Leesburg. Afterward, a 1950s diner-style lunch will 
be served. This will be a wonderful time for the entire community to 
come together in celebration of a historic church that has played an 
important role in the Bushnell community for more than a century.
  Throughout the 120 year history of the Church, one of the focuses of 
the members has been on outreach to those less fortunate, including 
those in foreign countries. In the past twenty years, Church members 
have traveled to Jamaica, Kenya, Peru, Africa and Central America. 
These trips are in addition to the many missions within the United 
States to help those who have been the victims of natural disasters 
like Hurricane Katrina. Charity and compassion of a Church's membership 
like First Baptist are some of the best ways to measure its faith in 
the word of God.
  Madam Speaker, for many areas of the United States the local church 
is the center of the town and the heart of the surrounding community. 
The First Baptist Church has played a vital role in the growth of 
Bushnell and has given its citizens a place to call home for the last 
120 years. Their parishioners have been strengthened by the teachings 
of the many pastors who have served as well as by their faith in the 
Lord. I congratulate the Church on their 120th anniversary and wish 
them the best of luck for the future.

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