HR247INTRODUCED
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HR247
ARYX27Q-1
By Representatives McClammy, Lawrence, Morris, Hassell, Sells,
Ingram, Ensler
RFD:
First Read: 15-Apr-25
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First Read: 15-Apr-25
HR____ COMMENDING DEREK L. SMITH ON HIS YEARS OF SERVICE AS
A PASTOR.
WHEREAS, the Alabama House of Representatives takes
great pride in recognizing individuals who consistently
exhibit inspiring qualities that help the progress of this
great state; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Derek L. Smith is a native of
Brooklyn, New York, born February 23, 1981, to the parents
of Riley and Gwendolyn Smith; he then moved to Montgomery,
Alabama, with his grandmother at the age of 13 and has been
a resident from then until present; he began his ministry at
the age of six in Brooklyn, New York, at the New Jerusalem
Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Alonzo
Smith; and
WHEREAS, upon moving to Alabama he became a faithful
member, at the age of 13, of the Galilee Missionary Baptist
Church and then furthered his ministry and was licensed to
preach the gospel under the leadership of Pastor Preston
Crittiden; Pastor Smith was also ordained to preach the
gospel at the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church at the age
of 18 under the leadership of Dr. Lamard Raven; after which
he was called to his first church Zion Hope in Jacksonville,
Florida, on a three-year tenure; and
WHEREAS, at the age of 21, Pastor Smith returned back
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WHEREAS, at the age of 21, Pastor Smith returned back
home to Alabama and pastored the First Baptist Church of
Elmore in Elmore County, Alabama; he later became the pastor
of First Baptist Church in Tallassee, Alabama, for eight
years; and
WHEREAS, he is now the proud and esteemed pastor of
Macedonia Baptist Church in Prattville, Alabama, where he
has been serving for five years and counting; Pastor Smith's
motto is, "Bible readers, Bible believers, and Bible doers
make a strong Christian, and it takes a strong Christian to
have a strong church"; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That Pastor Derek L. Smith is highly
commended and praised on his years of dedicated service as a
pastor in the states of New York, Florida, and Alabama, and
best wishes are extended to him for continued prosperity and
success.
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