[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17977]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING NEW HOPE BAPTIST MISSIONARY CHURCH ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2011

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the New Hope 
Missionary Baptist Church of Santa Maria, California, and in 
celebration of its 50th Anniversary. This is a momentous occasion. For 
the last 50 years New Hope Missionary Baptist Church has been a beacon 
of light, providing support for our community and empowering families 
on the Central Coast.
  Founded in November 1961 in the home of Brother Lwellyn and Sister 
Setha Crow, with the help of Brother Carter, Deacons Steve and Sally 
Wilson, Francis Green, Sister Bertie Mae Hamilton, Meryl Berry, Melvin 
Robinson, Phyllis Lovaretta, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church was 
first led by the inspiring Pastor Dr. P.B. Mdodona and his wife First 
Lady Willie Pearl Mdodona. A few years later, under the leadership of 
Pastor W.R. Erwin and his wife First Lady Winifred Erwin, property was 
purchased on West Mill Street to build a new permanent home. In 1989, 
Dr. Earl James became Pastor, and along with his wife First Lady Sydney 
James, worked hard to expand the church and its ministries by adding an 
additional forty-five hundred square feet to the church. In 2007 Pastor 
James retired and placed the church's reins in the capable hands of 
Pastor Henry L. Lewis, Jr. and his wife Sister Agatha Shorter-Lewis. 
Since then, they have centered their work on empowering the community 
by empowering the family.
  For half a century, the ministries at New Hope Missionary Baptist 
Church have supported Central Coast families, neighbors, and even 
strangers. It has been a steady source of solace and provided selfless 
service to the elderly, homeless, and our youth. In fact, many of the 
church's congregants can be found volunteering at a homeless shelter, 
singing to the sick, or bringing young adults in the community together 
in a safe environment.
  Mr. Speaker, each day New Hope Missionary Baptist Church lives up to 
its name, bringing hope to all it touches. With the burning of its 
mortgage in 2001, we all are very pleased to have the certainty this 
carries to the congregation and to the Central Coast.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking and celebrating New Hope 
Missionary Baptist Church for its leadership and service to our 
community. I am confident the church's fine work will continue to 
provide comfort and inspiration to all of us on the Central Coast.

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