HR86INTRODUCED
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HR86
HDWD883-1
By Representative Givan
RFD:
First Read: 05-Mar-24
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5 HDWD883-1 03/01/2024 EVP (L)evp 2024-991
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First Read: 05-Mar-24
HR____ COMMENDING DR. TOMMIE L. LEWIS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS
RETIREMENT AS SENIOR PASTOR OF BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST
CHURCH, PRATT CITY, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.
WHEREAS, with great pride and special pleasure,
highest commendations are conveyed to Dr. Tommie L. Lewis on
the joyous occasion of his retirement as Senior Pastor of
Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Pratt City, Birmingham,
Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis, called to the ministry and
dedicated to be worthy of his calling, pursued his
ecclesiastical education and earned his Bachelor of Arts,
Bachelor of Theology, and Master of Divinity degrees from
the Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College and the
Universal Bible Institute in Brunswick, Georgia; Honorary
Doctorate degrees were conferred on him from the Universal
Bible Institute and the Easonian Baptist Bible College; and
WHEREAS, a native son of Alabama, Dr. Lewis began his
service 52 years ago with his first pastoral assignment at
the First Baptist Church, Carver, Bessemer, Alabama; he was
called a few years later to shepherd the devoted
congregation at Antioch Baptist Church in Gadsden, Alabama;
he heeded the instruction to "go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations" and the Holy Spirit guided him
throughout the United States and across oceans to Europe,
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throughout the United States and across oceans to Europe,
Africa, and Asia; and
WHEREAS, in 1982, Dr. Lewis journeyed to Birmingham,
Alabama, to lead the devoted apostles of Bethel Missionary
Baptist Church; during his tenure, Bethel experienced
phenomenal growth; he organized, established, and maintained
numerous ministries with an emphasis on building up the Body
of Christ by evangelizing, equipping, empowering, and
encouraging his flock to Exalt the Savior, Equip the Saints,
and Evangelize the Sinner; under his tutelage, 53 sons and
daughters have heeded the call go into the world and preach
the gospel; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis worked tirelessly and diligently
in running the business of the church and retired the
mortgage on the first sanctuary; only one and a half years
later, the building was destroyed by a tornado; Dr. Lewis
called out to the community and Bethel Emergency Management
Agency led the way to community restoration and
revitalization; the new sanctuary was dedicated and
consecrated on August 24, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis is affiliated with numerous
religious and civic organizations and has been bestowed many
awards and accolades, including, serving as Moderator of the
Peace Baptist District Association, Chairman of the
Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority, Board
Chairman of the Jefferson County Committee for Economic
Opportunity, and the founding administrator of the Pratt
City Disaster Relief Center at the George Scott Elementary
School; Pastor Lewis was Alabama's first faith-based
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School; Pastor Lewis was Alabama's first faith-based
recipient of the No Child Left Behind grant for a community
learning center; he currently serves as the Superintendent
of Missions of the Alabama State Missionary Baptist
Convention and is a contributing member of the Northwest
District Baptist Convention and the National Baptist
Convention, USA; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis has been the congregation's
guiding light, preaching the Word of God with passion,
power, and persuasion; his farewell worship service will be
held Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That it is an honor to commend and
congratulate Senior Pastor, Dr. T.L. Lewis, on the joyous
occasion of his retirement for his 42 years of dedicated
ecclesiastical service to the congregation of Bethel
Missionary Baptist Church, Pratt City, Birmingham, and this
resolution is offered to him as evidence of our high regard
and with best wishes for continued blessings, good health,
and prosperity in his well-earned retirement.
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