S*1108 Resolution, By Scott
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE PASTOR EDDIE W. DAVIS UPON THE OCCASION OF
 HIS THIRTY-FIFTH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY WITH LITTLE ZION BAPTIST CHURCH IN
 BLYTHEWOOD.

   03/13/18  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 6)

TO CONGRATULATE PASTOR EDDIE W. DAVIS UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS THIRTY-FIFTH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY WITH LITTLE ZION BAPTIST CHURCH IN BLYTHEWOOD.

Whereas, Pastor Eddie W. Davis was born in Hopkins, South Carolina, the eleventh of thirteen children born to Deacon Jerry Davis and Annis Davis. He graduated from Hopkins High School, the Insurance Adjuster's Institute, and Morris College, where he received his Bachelor of Theology. He also attended Columbia Bible College. He is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and former member of the South Carolina Air National Guard; and

Whereas, Pastor Davis accepted the call to Little Zion Baptist Church on March 20, 1983, coming from Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Hopkins, where he was licensed and ordained under Rev. Dr. Blakely Scott. Pastor Davis has the second longest pastorate tenure in the history of Little Zion, which was organized in 1832, and he is only the fifth pastor in over 135 years; and

Whereas, under the leadership of Pastor Davis, Little Zion's congregation has grown both spiritually and in number, and the church itself has grown and changed, with the construction of a new church building in 1995. The church has flourished financially, burning its mortgage on all properties, and its leadership has grown, with twelve ministers licensed; nine deacons ordained; and the church's first female ministers, first female Sunday School Superintendent, and first female trustees appointed; and

Whereas, Pastor Davis has enhanced thirty-two ministries that benefit members and the community, including outreach to nursing homes, foreign missions, service to shelters and the homeless, and scholarships and Christmas gifts for underprivileged children; and

Whereas, a community leader, Pastor Davis has co-founded several non-profit organizations and businesses, including Our Daily Bread Human Resource Center, Alternative USA, and Beyond the Door. He owned an affordable clothing store and a convenient payment center for utilities. Each one of these organizations and businesses served a specific population in need of those services in their area; and

Whereas, he has also served with a number of civic and community organizations, including as chairman of the Commission on Education for the Gethsemane Baptist Association, member of the commission's Executive Board, vice-president of the Blythewood Ministerial Alliance, and founding member and president of the Midlands Coalition of Churches; and

Whereas, Pastor Davis has received numerous awards and commendations for his service to others, including the City Lights/Catalyst Award for Lifelong Service, the Gethsemane Baptist Association's Distinguished Service Award and Outstanding Leadership Award, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Gang Prevention and Awareness Award, and awards from the South Carolina Legislature and Richland County Council; and

Whereas, Pastor Davis is married to Monica A. Davis and has a blended family of six children and eight grandchildren. He enjoys golfing with friends and spending quality time with his family. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Pastor Eddie W. Davis upon the occasion of his thirty-fifth pastoral anniversary with Little Zion Baptist Church in Blythewood.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Pastor Eddie W. Davis.