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TO HONOR DR. ROBERT E. DENNIS, PASTOR OF CEDAR GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH IN SIMPSONVILLE, FOR HIS FORTY YEARS OF MINISTRY AT CEDAR GROVE AND TO WISH HIM GOD'S RICHEST BLESSINGS AS HE CONTINUES TO SERVE THE LORD.
Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to succor the souls of men; and
Whereas, Dr. Robert E. Dennis, pastor of Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Simpsonville, stands among their number as an outstanding minister of the Gospel and servant to his community, one much admired by colleagues, congregation, and area residents at large; and
Whereas, having professed faith in Christ at the age of twelve, the young Robert was baptized and accorded membership in the Reedy Fork Baptist Church, which later licensed him to preach; and
Whereas, upon graduation from Bryson High School in Fountain Inn, Robert Dennis attended the Greenville Extension of the American Baptist Theological Seminary and later received his bachelor of theology degree from Morris College in Sumter. In 1990, Benedict College bestowed upon him an honorary doctor of divinity degree; and
Whereas, after becoming pastor of the Holly Springs Baptist Church in 1968, Pastor Dennis was ordained by the Reedy River Baptist Association, and in 1969 he assumed the pastorate of the Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Simpsonville, where he has served for forty years; and
Whereas, under his dynamic and progressive leadership, Cedar Grove has experienced both physical and spiritual growth, with Pastor Dennis leading the congregation in organizing twenty-six ministries, constructing a $330,000 edifice, the purchase of two vans, and the building of a $2.3 million Family Development Center, which ministers to community needs from a holistic perspective; and
Whereas, believing a pastor should be involved in his community beyond the walls of the church, Pastor Dennis also serves as a board member for the Greenville County Department of Social Services, instructor for the Greenville Extension of the Morris College School of Religion, vice president of the board for South Greenville Mental Health, and board member for the Golden Strip YMCA, among numerous other worthy endeavors; and
Whereas, Pastor Dennis has won numerous awards for his work within the community, including the Cooper White Humanitarian Award from the Greenville County Human Relations Commission; the Silver Crescent, presented by Governor Jim Hodges; and a listing among the Greenville News New Millennium's 500 Most Influential Individuals in the Greenville area; and
Whereas, although he devotes much time to his work for church and community, Robert Dennis also finds time to spend with his family, including his beloved wife, Mary, and their two children, Elaine McCrary and Caroline Neely, who have given their parents the joy of several grandchildren; and
Whereas, noted as a humble, courageous man of Christian character, one of whom it truly may be said, "Well done, good and faithful servant," Pastor Dennis has demonstrated to others how to be "steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." As both a spiritual and civic leader, he will be honored at a testimonial banquet to be held in celebration of his fortieth anniversary as pastor of Cedar Grove Baptist Church on Friday, June 5, 2009. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Dr. Robert E. Dennis, pastor of Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Simpsonville, for his forty years of ministry at Cedar Grove and wish him God's richest blessings as he continues to serve the Lord.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Robert E. Dennis.
This web page was last updated on April 29, 2009 at 11:37 AM