H*3308 Resolution, By D.C. Smith
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DR. GARY C. REDDING, OF AIKEN
 COUNTY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY AS SENIOR PASTOR OF
 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF NORTH AUGUSTA.

   01/27/09  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-7
   02/17/09         Scrivener's error corrected

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DR. GARY C. REDDING, OF AIKEN COUNTY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY AS SENIOR PASTOR OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF NORTH AUGUSTA.

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the House of Representatives honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to succor the souls of men; and

Whereas, Dr. Gary C. Redding, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of North Augusta, stands among their number as an outstanding minister of the Gospel, one much admired in his roles as pastor, teacher, and preacher; and

Whereas, as preparation for his life's work, Gary Redding, a native of Griffin, Georgia, earned degrees at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky; and

Whereas, since he began his ministry at First Baptist in 1989, he has witnessed its growth into one of the largest churches in South Carolina, with a current membership four thousand strong. His service has included leading the church through twenty million dollars in construction and facility expansion, carrying out religious activities and programs that have been a source of inspiration and hope for the entire area, and establishing church mission activities that have meaningfully touched the entire world; and

Whereas, in the civic arena, Dr. Redding has established a sustained outstanding record of accomplishments and contributions in support of the well-being of the City of North Augusta, the State of South Carolina, and regions beyond. Among these accomplishments are establishing and leading Business by the Book, an inspirational monthly forum for business people in Aiken County and the Augusta area; supporting North Augusta city planning as a member of the North Augusta 2000 Planning Vision Team; establishing and leading a hospitality ministry for North Augusta's annual basketball Nike Peach Jam; and supporting and assisting the educational community as a member of the selection team for the Aiken County superintendent of education; and

Whereas, as both spiritual and civic leader, he has established a positive legacy that will impact the lives of many citizens of South Carolina well into the future; and

Whereas, Dr. Redding considers one of his crowning achievements as having had the good sense to marry his beloved Carol and with her to raise two beautiful daughters, Melissa Tripp and Jennifer Wilson. The Reddings now relish the additional joy of four grandchildren, Brayden, Benjamin, and Barrett Tripp, and Finn Wilson; and

Whereas, noted as a man of Christian standards and character of whom, "well done, good and faithful servant" truly expresses the dedicated quality of his life's work, which will be celebrated in ceremonies to be held at First Baptist Church of North Augusta on February 1, 2009. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dr. Gary C. Redding, of Aiken County, upon the occasion of his twentieth anniversary as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of North Augusta.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Redding.