SLS 182ES-277 ORIGINAL
2018 Second Extraordinary Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 30
BY SENATOR LUNEAU
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Bishop T. F. Tenney.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of Bishop Tom Fred "T. F." Tenney.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
5 Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana have learned of the death of Bishop T. F. Tenney, a
6 celebrated Louisiana faith leader, on Friday, June 1, 2018, at the age of eighty-four; and
7 WHEREAS, Tom Fred "T. F." Tenney was born and raised in DeRidder, Louisiana,
8 felt called into ministry and service at a young age; in 1949 at the age of fifteen, he began
9 his ministry, and at the age nineteen, he assumed his first pastorate in Monroe, Louisiana;
10 and
11 WHEREAS, in 1952, he was elected youth secretary of the Louisiana District United
12 Pentecostal Church, and for sixty-five years from 1952 until his death, almost without
13 exception, he ministered and held some position within the United Pentecostal Church
14 International; and
15 WHEREAS, from 1960-1976, T. F. Tenney held several administrative positions;
16 from 1976-78, he returned to DeRidder to serve as pastor of his home congregation, and, in
17 1978, he was elected District Superintendent (Bishop) for the state of Louisiana, charged
18 with the oversight of three hundred churches and eight hundred ministers and pastors, a
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SLS 182ES-277 ORIGINAL
1 position he held for twenty-seven years until his recent retirement; and
2 WHEREAS, he attended Apostolic Bible Institute and, in 1992, received an honorary
3 doctorate from ABI; and
4 WHEREAS, he was a radio speaker, both on a nationally broadcast radio program
5 and a local daily program; he was a respected writer and regular contributor to various
6 religious periodicals; he was the author of eleven books: Pentecost–What's That?, The Flame
7 Still Burns, The Main Thing, Advice to Pastors and Other Saints, Beyond the Sunrise, Some
8 Things I Wish I'd Known, Secret Sources of Power, More Power to You, The Lord Said. . .Or
9 Was That Me?, Things I Wish I Could Forget, and, his most recent release, Water From An
10 Old Well; and
11 WHEREAS, he also served as bishop emeritus of the Louisiana District and was a
12 member of the Pentecostals of Alexandria; and
13 WHEREAS, T. F. Tenney and his wife started a ministry called Focused Light; and
14 WHEREAS, as the Louisiana District United Pentecostal Church stated, "Bishop
15 Tenney has been a valiant and faithful soldier of the Lord, leading and serving this district,
16 the UPCI, and churches around the world"; and
17 WHEREAS, Bishop Tenney is survived by his wife Thetus, son Tommy, daughter
18 Teri, and many grandchildren; and
19 WHEREAS, Bishop Tenney was widely respected and admired and was considered
20 a giant of the faith, a pioneer for the truth, and above all, a servant of Jesus Christ; and
21 WHEREAS, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, he was the kind of citizen
22 who represents what is good about Louisiana, a man of wisdom and faith who used his gifts
23 and talents to change his community for the better; and
24 WHEREAS, Bishop Tenney will long continue to bring great pride and honor to his
25 community and to the state of Louisiana.
26 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
27 does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Bishop T. F.
28 Tenney, does hereby extend enduring appreciation for his outstanding accomplishments and
29 singular contributions during a lifetime of dedication and service to God, family, friends,
30 church, community, and state, and does hereby recognize that his legacy of kindness and
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SLS 182ES-277 ORIGINAL
1 compassion shall live forever in the minds and hearts of all who knew and loved him.
2 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
3 family of Bishop T. F. Tenney.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 30 Original 2018 Second Extraordinary Session Luneau
Expresses condolences upon the death of Bishop T. F. Tenney.
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