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TO CONGRATULATE DR. WILLIAM CLAY SMITH UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY AS PASTOR OF ALICE DRIVE BAPTIST CHURCH AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO HIS CONGREGATION AND THE COMMUNITY OF SUMTER.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to recognize Dr. William Clay Smith as he celebrates his twenty-fifth pastoral anniversary in June of 2019; and
Whereas, Dr. Smith grew up on a working cattle and citrus operation in Central Florida, and along with his brother and sister, he still operates the ranch. He is an alumnus of Samford University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a PhD in Old Testament Studies; and
Whereas, as Lead Pastor of Alice Drive Baptist Church, Dr. Smith has served the church since 1994. He is the primary communicator for Sunday and Monday services, and along with the other pastors and Vision Council, he sets the vision and direction for the church; and
Whereas, under his leadership, Alice Drive Baptist Church's congregation and leadership have grown, with an increased and more racially inclusive worship attendance of one thousand five hundred, almost seventeen hundred baptisms, and forty-five employees. The church's physical presence has also seen growth, as it has relocated to a new site and added a new location in Pocalla. In reaching out to other communities on a large and small scale, Pastor Smith has created mission partnerships in Botswana, Haiti, Honduras, and New York City and assists other churches in planning, personnel management systems, leadership development, and administrative structure. In 2007, Alice Drive received the Impact Your World Award from the South Carolina Baptist Convention; and
Whereas, an active leader in his community, Dr. Smith has served as president of the Alice Drive Elementary School Parent Teacher Association; founding chair of the Advisory Board of the Community Care and Counseling Center of Sumter; co-chair of the "Live" Vision Team for Sumter Vision 2020; member of the Board of Directors, member of the Executive Board, and vice president of finance for the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce; member of the Executive Board for Churches Together; co-director of Leadership Sumter; and member of the Sumter Mayor's Compassion Committee. He has also brought the Global Leadership Summit and Operation Inasmuch to the City of Sumter; and
Whereas, Dr. Smith is the author of the books, Pipes: God's Spiritual Gifts Flowing Through You and The Next Step Life, and a weekly column, which appears in newspapers with a total circulation of twenty-five thousand; and
Whereas, he is married to his wife, Gina, and together, they have three children, Abram, Hannah, and Sarah; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciate the ministry of Dr. William Clay Smith and his service to Alice Drive Baptist Church and the community of Sumter. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Dr. William Clay Smith upon the occasion of his twenty-fifth anniversary as pastor of Alice Drive Baptist Church and commend him for his many years of service to his congregation and the community of Sumter.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. William Clay Smith.
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