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TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE DR. WENDELL ESTEP, PASTOR OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF COLUMBIA, AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO HIS CONGREGATION AND THE COLUMBIA COMMUNITY.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Dr. Wendell Estep for his significant contributions to the people and the State of South Carolina; and
Whereas, Dr. Estep is the second-longest-serving pastor in the two-hundred-nine-year history of First Baptist Church of Columbia. He was first called to serve the church in 1986; and
Whereas, since that time, Dr. Estep and his wife Lynda have provided invaluable leadership to First Baptist Church. Loyal and dedicated, they have given the best years of their life in service to God; and
Whereas, as a greatly respected leader in Columbia and the Midlands, Dr. Estep has participated in many community events and fostered relationships within the community, including his friendship with Dr. Charles B. Jackson, Sr., pastor of Brookland Baptist Church. Together, the two pastors are dedicated to improving race relations; and
Whereas, under Dr. Estep's leadership, the First Baptist Church campus has grown to cover an entire block, with a sanctuary, music suite, children's area, fellowship hall, educational space, family life center, student building, shared parking garage, and another building, which houses a library and additional resources; and
Whereas, the church has also greatly expanded its community outreach through events such as the Carolina Celebration of Liberty, the Columbia Christmas Pageant, Easter 2000, the Thanksgiving Feeding of the Hungry, A Night of Joy at Spirit Communications Park, and Profit and Loss luncheons for the business community; and
Whereas, five new churches have been established both in and near the Midlands, and First Baptist Church's television ministry has expanded to virtually all of the State, as well as areas of North Carolina and Georgia. The television ministry is consistently top rated by local stations; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are exceedingly grateful for the ministry of Dr. Wendell Estep and his dedicated service to the community of Columbia and the State of South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor and recognize Dr. Wendell Estep, pastor of First Baptist Church of Columbia, and commend him for his many years of extraordinary leadership and service to his congregation and the Columbia community.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to distinguished public servant Dr. Wendell Estep.
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