HLS 182ES-312 ORIGINAL
2018 Second Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 46
BY REPRESENTATIVE LANCE HARRIS
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences on the death of Bishop Tom Fred "T.F." Tenney
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Bishop Tom
3 Fred "T.F." Tenney.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
5House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana have learned of the death of Bishop
6Tom Fred "T.F." Tenney on Friday, June 1, 2018, at the age of eighty-four; and
7 WHEREAS, T.F. Tenney was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, and as a young man, he
8felt the call of God on his life; he entered the ministry in 1949 at the age of fifteen, and when
9he was nineteen years old, he was called to his first pastorate in Monroe; and
10 WHEREAS, in 1952, T.F. Tenney was elected youth secretary of the Louisiana
11District United Pentecostal Church, and for sixty-five years he served in various positions
12in United Pentecostal Church International; and
13 WHEREAS, T.F. Tenney returned to DeRidder from 1976-1978 and served as pastor
14of his hometown congregation; in 1978, he was elected as district superintendent with the
15title of bishop for the state of Louisiana, charged with oversight of three hundred churches
16and eight hundred ministers and pastors; Bishop Tenney served in this capacity for twenty-
17seven years until he retired; and
18 WHEREAS, in 1992, Bishop Tenney received an honorary doctorate degree from
19Apostolic Bible Institute; he was a respected writer and regular contributor to religious
20periodicals and the author of eleven books: Pentecost–What's That?, The Flame Still Burns,
21The Main Thing, Advice to Pastors and Other Saints, Beyond the Sunrise, Some Things I
Page 1 of 2 HLS 182ES-312 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 46
1Wish I'd Known, Secret Sources of Power, More Power to You, The Lord Said ... Or Was
2That Me?, Things I Wish I Could Forget, and Water From an Old Well; and
3 WHEREAS, Bishop Tenney broadcast the Word of God to thousands over the radio
4airwaves both nationally and on a daily local program; and
5 WHEREAS, T.F. Tenney served as bishop emeritus of the Louisiana District United
6Pentecostal Church and was a member of the Pentecostals of Alexandria; he and his wife
7created the Focused Light ministry; and
8 WHEREAS, left to cherish the memory of Bishop Tenney are his wife, Thetus; his
9children, Tommy and Teri; his grandchildren; and the members he shepherded in his tenure
10as pastor; T.F. Tenney was widely respected and admired as a giant in the faith, a pioneer
11for truth, and most of all, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ; and
12 WHEREAS, Bishop T.F. Tenney was a man of wisdom who used his talents to
13change his community for the better, and he represented what is good in Louisiana; although
14his death leaves a void in the lives of many, the legacy of his valiant and faithful service as
15a soldier for the Lord will forever remain in the hearts and minds of those who knew and
16loved him.
17 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
18Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the
19death of Bishop Tom Fred "T.F." Tenney; does hereby extend enduring appreciation for his
20outstanding accomplishments and contributions during a lifetime of dedication and service
21to God, family, friends, church, community, and the state; and does hereby offer thoughts
22and prayers for peace and comfort to those who mourn.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
24to the family of Bishop Tom Fred Tenney.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 46 Original 2018 Second Extraordinary Session Lance Harris
Expresses condolences on the death of Bishop Tom Fred "T.F." Tenney.
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