88S40886 BK-D
By: Collier H.R. No. 120
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The members of Greater Saint Mark Ministries in Fort
Worth joined together on September 8, 2023, to honor Bishop
Dr. Mark D. Kirkland for his five decades in the ministry; and
WHEREAS, A spiritual leader from a young age, Dr. Kirkland
was ordained as a minister during his junior year of high school; he
became the third senior pastor of Greater Saint Mark Missionary
Baptist Church in February 1997, and under his able leadership, the
church became a nondenominational body known as Greater Saint Mark
Ministries; in 2006, he cofounded Rehoboth Fellowship
International, and he currently serves that organization as chief
presiding prelate; in addition, he received his Episcopal
ordination and consecration as a bishop on September 29, 2007; over
the years, he has participated in several missions to provide
supplies and financial aid to families and communities in African
countries; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Kirkland previously attended Southern Bible
Institute and Saint Leo College in Georgia; in 2010, he obtained a
doctoral degree in theology from Trinity International Seminary in
Dallas, where he also served as president for four years; he was
presented with an honorary doctor of divinity from Grace
International Seminary in Dallas; and
WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Dr. Kirkland
served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1983 to 2004; he has been
involved in a number of boards and civic organizations, including
the Genesis Way Foundation, the Young Ministers Coalition of
Greater Atlanta, the Fireball Express, Umoja, and the Dunbar Young
Men's Leadership Academy Site Base Management Team; moreover, he
has served as a chaplain for the Texas Department of Corrections,
and he has contributed to a wide range of community service
projects, events, and relief efforts; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Dr. Mark Kirkland has long set an inspiring
example of faith in action, and the members of his congregation have
greatly benefited from his wise counsel and spiritual guidance;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby congratulate Bishop
Dr. Mark D. Kirkland on his 50th anniversary in the ministry and
extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Kirkland as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.