[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5151]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




ON THE OCCASION OF REVEREND DERRICK S. McDONALD'S FIFTH ANNIVERSERY AS 
   PASTOR OF PROSPECT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF PONTIAC, MICHIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 12, 2013

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend 
Derrick S. McDonald on the occasion of his Fifth Anniversary as the 
spiritual leader of the congregation of Prospect Missionary Baptist 
Church in Pontiac, Michigan.
  As the son of the late Reverend Eddie McDonald, who was pastor to 
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for many years, Reverend McDonald 
grew up immersed in the teachings of Christ. It is hardly surprising 
that, like his father, Reverend McDonald would heed the call to serve 
his community. Reverend McDonald would continue to be involved in the 
congregation of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and after heeding 
the call to serve he joined the leadership at Friendship in 2002 as 
Gospel Minister under the late Reverend Dr. William Dulaney.
  In 2008, Reverend McDonald was called to serve the congregation at 
Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. Under his leadership, the 
congregation at Prospect has not only grown in membership, but has also 
developed a greater spiritual connection to the words of the Gospel. 
Reverend McDonald strongly believes that faith plays a central role in 
the transformation of lives, both within his congregation and the City 
of Pontiac. The lessons of love in his faith have also led Reverend 
McDonald to place considerable emphasis on ministries that are active 
in the Pontiac community, which focus on improving the quality-of-life 
for local residents. While serving as pastor, Reverend McDonald has 
supported church programs that have nurtured the youth of the 
congregation as they work to discover and achieve their full potential.
  His leadership and dedication have led Reverend McDonald to become a 
pillar of strength in the community and an example to others who seek 
to make a positive impact through the teachings of the Bible. For his 
commitment to his faith and his support of the Pontiac community, 
Reverend McDonald has been recognized by the Wolverine State Congress, 
Walter Cade Regional Workshop of the National Baptist Convention and 
the Crystal Lake District Congress Association, where he currently 
serves as Assistant Dean of the Crystal Lake Baptist District 
Association. Reverend McDonald's efforts, both at the pulpit and 
beyond, have been strengthened by the love of his wife, Barbara, and 
their children, Antonio and Jennifer.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the 
profound impact that Reverend Derrick McDonald has made on the 
congregation of Prospect Missionary Baptist Church as its pastor of the 
last five years and the larger impact he has made on the Greater 
Pontiac community. I wish Pastor McDonald, his family, and the 
congregants of Prospect many more rewarding years of spiritual 
fellowship.

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