[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11646]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF ELDER ERVIN PETERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2017

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an 
outstanding Man of God, Elder Ervin Peterson, who will celebrate his 
20th Anniversary as the distinguished pastor of New Hope Full Gospel 
Ministries, Inc. His anniversary celebration will take place Thursday, 
August 3rd through August 5th, 2017 at New Hope Full Gospel Ministries, 
Inc. in Albany, GA.
  A native of Calhoun County, Elder Peterson was born to Mr. Willie J. 
and Truezella Peterson, as one of eleven children, in 1955. He is the 
loving husband of Minister Deborah Peterson, the father of (5) 
children, Mrs. Yolanda Bryant, Mrs. Shamika Washington (Clifford), Ms. 
Jasmine Peterson, Ms. Audriauna Peterson, and Kamron Peterson; and, (8) 
grandchildren, William Bryant, IV, Deja Bryant, Jela Bryant, Bayleigh 
Bryant, J'Naia Crapps, Mariah Lumpkin, Calvin Grant, and Xavier 
Williams.
  Elder Peterson was called to preach the gospel in 1981 and was 
ordained in August 1982. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the 
late Elder W.H. Norwood, Elder Peterson quickly learned the covenant, 
doctrine, and ordinances of the Primitive Baptist Association of which 
he served as Moderator from 1995-1996. While many of his churches were 
great distances away from his home, he served his members faithfully no 
matter the distance, nor the task.
  Ephesians 4:11-12 says ``And he gave some, apostles; and some, 
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For 
the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the 
edifying of the body of Christ''. In June 1997, after receiving a 
vision from the Lord, New Hope Full Gospel Ministries, Inc. was born. 
Elder Peterson and a few devoted followers developed a small ministry 
with firm foundation and a dynamic vision. Elder Peterson's love for 
God and his people is evident in the many lives he touches. A man of 
great integrity, he not only continues to labor for Christ, but he 
continues to strive for excellence in his profession as a licensed 
plumber and HVAC technician.
  Elder Peterson is a great and inspirational leader, but none of this 
would have been possible without the love and support of his wife, 
family, and the New Hope Full Gospel Ministries, Inc. church family.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the 
more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District 
in thanking Elder Ervin Peterson for 20 outstanding years of service to 
New Hope Full Gospel Ministries, Inc. and a lifetime of service in the 
ministry of Jesus Christ.

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