ENROLLED
2018 Second Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 46
BY REPRESENTATIVES LANCE HARRIS AND HAZEL
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Bishop Tom
Fred "T.F." Tenney.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana have learned of the death of Bishop
Tom Fred "T.F." Tenney on Friday, June 1, 2018, at the age of eighty-four; and
WHEREAS, T.F. Tenney was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, and as a young man, he
felt the call of God on his life; he entered the ministry in 1949 at the age of fifteen, and when
he was nineteen years old, he was called to his first pastorate in Monroe; and
WHEREAS, in 1952, T.F. Tenney was elected youth secretary of the Louisiana
District United Pentecostal Church, and for sixty-five years he served in various positions
in United Pentecostal Church International; and
WHEREAS, T.F. Tenney returned to DeRidder from 1976-1978 and served as pastor
of his hometown congregation; in 1978, he was elected as district superintendent with the
title of bishop for the state of Louisiana, charged with oversight of three hundred churches
and eight hundred ministers and pastors; Bishop Tenney served in this capacity for twenty-
seven years until he retired; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, Bishop Tenney received an honorary doctorate degree from
Apostolic Bible Institute; he was a respected writer and regular contributor to religious
periodicals and the author of eleven books: Pentecost–What's That?, The Flame Still Burns,
The Main Thing, Advice to Pastors and Other Saints, Beyond the Sunrise, Some Things I
Wish I'd Known, Secret Sources of Power, More Power to You, The Lord Said ... Or Was
That Me?, Things I Wish I Could Forget, and Water From an Old Well; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Tenney broadcast the Word of God to thousands over the radio
airwaves both nationally and on a daily local program; and
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WHEREAS, T.F. Tenney served as bishop emeritus of the Louisiana District United
Pentecostal Church and was a member of the Pentecostals of Alexandria; he and his wife
created the Focused Light ministry; and
WHEREAS, left to cherish the memory of Bishop Tenney are his wife, Thetus; his
children, Tommy and Teri; his grandchildren; and the members he shepherded in his tenure
as pastor; T.F. Tenney was widely respected and admired as a giant in the faith, a pioneer
for truth, and most of all, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ; and
WHEREAS, Bishop T.F. Tenney was a man of wisdom who used his talents to
change his community for the better, and he represented what is good in Louisiana; although
his death leaves a void in the lives of many, the legacy of his valiant and faithful service as
a soldier for the Lord will forever remain in the hearts and minds of those who knew and
loved him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the
death of Bishop Tom Fred "T.F." Tenney; does hereby extend enduring appreciation for his
outstanding accomplishments and contributions during a lifetime of dedication and service
to God, family, friends, church, community, and the state; and does hereby offer thoughts
and prayers for peace and comfort to those who mourn.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Bishop Tom Fred Tenney.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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