A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR REVEREND EUGENE RUSH, JR., PASTOR OF PLEASANT HILL MISSIONARY CHURCH, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER NINETEEN YEARS OF SIGNIFICANT SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Eugene Rush will begin a well-deserved retirement after twenty-five years as a devoted pastor, the last nineteen of which have been as the distinguished and highly regarded pastor at Pleasant Hill Missionary Church; and

 

Whereas, a native of Tallahassee, Florida, Eugene Rush is the last of eight children born to the late Reverend Eugene and the late Beatrice Rush. He was reared in a loving Christian home with parents who provided Christian guidance and influence, and he received Christ at the age of fifteen; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Rush earned a bachelor's degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) University in Tallahassee, Florida, and a master's degree in education from Atlantic University in Savannah, Georgia. He also earned a bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies and Christian Doctrine from Colonial Christian Theological Seminary in Columbia and a Master of Ministry from Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, Florida in 2013; and

 

Whereas, certified as a corrective therapist in 1973 after training at the VA Hospital System in Tuskegee, Alabama, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation as a Medical Service Officer in the United States Army. He served as a Company Commander from 1974 to 1980, attaining the rank of Captain. From 1980 to 1997, he was a medical sales representative for Bristol Myers Squibb, retiring as a district sales manager. He was a classroom teacher in Lexington School District Two for twenty-five years, retiring in 2018; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Rush received and accepted his calling to proclamation ministry in January 1988 and was licensed to preach the gospel by the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Lexington, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Dr. Douglas Branch; and

 

Whereas, his first pastoral assignment was the Monetta Baptist Church in Monetta from June 1999 to 2002. He shepherded Hart Spring Baptist Church of Ward from 2002 to 2005, and he has been the pastor of Pleasant Hill Missionary Church since 2005. His ministerial theme is, "Lord, prepare me to be an instrument to do your will for your people." Reverend Rush serves his denomination as a member of the Lexington Ministerial Alliance, and he is the past moderator of the Friendship Baptist Education Association of Batesburg-Leesville and a member of the South Carolina E&M Baptist State Convention; and

 

Whereas, committed to his community, he is a member of the Community Resource Outreach Ministry, providing food for families in Lexington and Richland counties. He is chairman of the board for Home Builders Association Community Development Corporation (HBA CDC), a contractor for the South Carolina Housing helping seniors and needy people refurbish their houses. He is a member of the Lexington NAACP and a member of the Democratic Party of South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, together with his beloved wife, the former Clydia Paul, he reared three fine children: Shebretia S. Rush, Clydnedra Rainney, and Marcus E. Rush. He is blessed with the affection of a loving grandson, Micah E. Rush; and

 

Whereas, grateful for his years of distinguished service to his God, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to extend best wishes to Eugene Rush as he transitions to a richly deserved retirement, and the members wish him years of pleasure in his well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Reverend Eugene Rush, Jr., pastor of Pleasant Hill Missionary Church, upon the occasion of his retirement after nineteen years of significant service, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Eugene Rush, Jr.

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