A house RESOLUTION

TO HONOR THE REVEREND DOCTOR NORMAN GAMBLE OF NEW EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH IN FLORENCE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF GOSPEL MINISTRY AT NEW EBENEZER AND TO EXTEND TO HIM BEST WISHES FOR GOD'S RICHEST BLESSINGS AS HE CONTINUES TO SERVE THE LORD.

Whereas, it is entirely appropriate to honor those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to succor the souls of men. The Reverend Dr. Norman Gamble of New Ebenezer Baptist Church in Florence stands among their number as an outstanding minister of the gospel, one much admired by colleagues, congregations, and area residents at large; and

Whereas, born in Greeleyville, Rev. Dr. Gamble graduated from C.E. Murray High School and Williamsburg Technical College. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree at Benedict College in Columbia and a master's degree in divinity from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in New York. He also received an honorary doctorate from Morris College in Sumter, where he served as a board member. Presently, he serves his denomination as moderator of the Pee Dee Baptist Association; and

Whereas, for the past thirty years, Rev. Dr. Gamble has served as pastor of New Ebenezer Baptist Church in Florence, where his impeccable preaching and teaching skills have helped him shepherd his flock to greater heights. Under his leadership, the church has purchased new audiovisual equipment, vans, two buses, a baby grand piano, an organ, a parsonage, and rental properties. Further, New Ebenezer Baptist now enjoys two Sunday worship services, enlarged Bible studies, and a scholarship fund that has awarded more than $100,000 to qualified persons seeking a college education; and

Whereas, Pastor Gamble's vision and leadership for a multipurpose facility to serve the community was realized in 2014 with the Strive Hard Educational, Recreational, and Enrichment Center. At thirty-four thousand square feet, the center is used to serve meals to the homeless, as well as to provide a polling site, a hurricane shelter and distribution point, and a home for the School of Helps. The facility also offers a variety of self-help classes from sign language to computers; and

Whereas, for more than twenty years, Rev. Dr. Gamble served as a board member for Williamsburg County Schools, and he received a number of awards for his many achievements; and

Whereas, Pastor Gamble considers it one of the greatest triumphs of his life that he was able to persuade the lovely Dr. La Diné Williams-Gamble to become his wife. They are the proud parents of four children, Ty-Esha, Cambridge, Na-Dya, and Malcolm, who have, in their turn, blessed their parents with grandchildren; and

Whereas, because of his many years of spiritual nourishment of the people of South Carolina, the Reverend Dr. Norman Gamble is due grateful thanks and best wishes as he continues to run the race the Lord has set before him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor the Reverend Doctor Norman Gamble of New Ebenezer Baptist Church in Florence on the occasion of his thirtieth anniversary of gospel ministry at New Ebenezer and extend to him best wishes for God's richest blessings as he continues to serve the Lord.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Reverend Doctor Norman Gamble.

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