83R4673 MGR-D
By: Moody H.R. No. 410
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of El Paso and beyond are mourning the
passing of Rochelle Nieman, the co-founder and co-pastor of
Abundant Living Faith Center, on December 30, 2012, at the age of
61; and
WHEREAS, Originally from Raton, New Mexico, Rochelle Nieman
moved to El Paso in 1968 to study at The University of Texas; there
she met her future husband, Charles Nieman, with whom she would go
on to share 42 years; and
WHEREAS, The couple began a small, home-based Bible study in
1977 that soon began meeting in a railroad union hall to accommodate
growth; within a few years, the church was well on its way to
becoming the major ministry it is today; with some 25,000 members,
Abundant Living Faith Center is considered El Paso's first
mega-church; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Nieman held an equal leadership role in the
church with her husband at a time when that was uncommon for women,
and she was a trailblazer for countless women of faith over the
course of her ministry; among her many responsibilities, she
directed the church administration, led the women's ministry, and
regularly taught the congregation during its weekly service;
moreover, she founded and served as superintendent of Faith
Christian Academy; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed clergywoman also oversaw numerous
ALFC outreach efforts, including two weekly food pantries, annual
back-to-school and holiday toy giveaways, basic training classes,
and a disaster assistance program, and with her husband, she taught
at leadership conferences throughout the United States and around
the globe; and
WHEREAS, Known for her optimism and zest for life, Pastor
Nieman strived to give her all in each of her many roles; she was the
devoted mother of two children, Shannon and Jared, and she took
great joy in welcoming two grandchildren, Caleb and Emery, into her
family; and
WHEREAS, Rochelle Nieman loved the challenges and
opportunities of guiding a large church and carrying its message to
the world, and she leaves behind a legacy that will be forever
treasured by all those whose lives she touched; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Rochelle Nieman and
extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her
husband, Pastor Charles Nieman; to her children and their spouses,
Shannon Nieman Elias and Matthew Elias and Jared and Karla Nieman;
to her grandchildren, Caleb Nieman and Emery Rochelle Nieman Elias;
and to her other relatives and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Pastor
Rochelle Nieman.