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TO COMMEND AND HONOR DR. RONALD D. BARTON, SENIOR PASTOR OF SHADY OAK BAPTIST CHURCH IN GREENVILLE, FOR HIS FAITHFUL SERVICE AND OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIS CONGREGATION AND HIS COMMITMENT TO HIS FAMILY AND COMMUNITY, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES TO HIM IN ALL OF HIS FURTHER ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, Dr. Ronald D. Barton, the youngest of seven children, was born to Mr. Willis F. Barton and Mrs. Mary Louise Barton in Greenville, South Carolina; and
Whereas, a graduate of Berea High School, Dr. Barton entered Morris College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Morris College School of Divinity with a Bachelor of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Divinity degree; and
Whereas, realizing his true gift and calling early, Dr. Barton began preaching at the age of fifteen and has lead the congregations of Central Baptist Church in Columbia and Shady Oak Baptist Church of Greenville as pastor for a combined total of twenty-two years; and
Whereas, Dr. Barton has motivated his own congregation at Shady Oak Baptist Church to actively engage in an emphasis on ministry development and community empowerment, inspiring over fifty additional ministries purposed to build and expand the Kingdom of God; and
Whereas, leading the congregation into a new Worship Center and Administrative Complex, Dr. Barton currently oversees plans for the construction of the Shady Oak Church Community Empowerment Center, which will house the community empowerment project, as well as the Shady Oak Baptist Church Faith Dome, including a 2,200 seat worship facility, video production studio, daycare center, educational complex, and administrative suite; and
Whereas, Dr. Barton, a dedicated community leader, shares his faith and vision in many associations, including his position as former Dean of the Reedy River Congress of Christian Education and membership in the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, the Board of Evangelism of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, and the Hampton University Minister's Conference; and
Whereas, proclaiming his message far beyond the doors of Shady Oak Baptist Church, Dr. Barton has preached extensively across the United States and abroad and has achieved national recognition for a sermon included in the book, Outstanding Black Sermons, Volume 4; and
Whereas, Dr. Barton serves as a role model for the African-American community in fighting for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday for Greenville County and helping to organize voter registration drives, encouraging others to take part in their community; and
Whereas, Dr. Barton is truly an inspiration to his congregation and the community as a whole, living by the motto "Stay focused on God and all of life will be clearer". Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, commend and honor Dr. Ronald D. Barton, Senior Pastor of Shady Oak Baptist Church in Greenville, for his faithful service and outstanding contributions to his congregation and his commitment to his family and community in pursuit of his abiding faith and wish him well in all of his further endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Ronald D. Barton.
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