A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE DR. TONY BOYCE OF MT. EMMANUEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF GREENVILLE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS TWENTY-FIFTH MINISTERIAL ANNIVERSARY AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED BLESSING IN HIS SERVICE TO THE LORD.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Dr. Tony Boyce, pastor of Mt. Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church of Greenville, is celebrating his twenty-fifth pastoral anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, his church honored him with a festive banquet on April 19, 2025; and

 

Whereas, born the youngest of three children to the Reverend George and Mrs. Alice Boyce, this native of Laurens serves the Lord with faithfulness and a vision for ministry that emphasizes full obedience to God and humble service to humanity for effective kingdom building; and

 

Whereas, in preparation for his service as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the young Tony Boyce earned his bachelor's degree in elementary education from the College of Charleston (1999), a master's degree in divinity from Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta (2003), and a doctoral degree in ministry from Gardner-Webb University (2010). On April 16, 2000, he was licensed to preach the gospel by Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Laurens; and

 

Whereas, he served first as a youth pastor (Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, Duluth, Georgia, 2002-2003) and then as assistant to the pastor (Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church, Mauldin, 2003-2008). On August 3, 2003, Tony Boyce was ordained a Baptist minister by Tumbling Shoals Baptist Association in Laurens. On February 28, 2009, he was elected the twenty-first pastor of Greenville's Mt. Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, organized in 1896, and he shepherds his Mt. Emmanuel flock to this day; and

 

Whereas, Tony Boyce believes strongly in personal involvement with his community, and he puts his convictions into action by serving his community in numerous capacities. He has been a board member for the Urban League of the Upstate, Greenville NAACP, Graduate Greenville, Advisory Board Black Pages, USA Inc., Piedmont Consistory #169, and Red Cross Lodge #223. He was also an Independence Party candidate for the South Carolina House of Representatives (District 25); and

 

Whereas, further, he has served his denomination at the local, church, state, and national levels. Elected moderator of the Reedy River Baptist Association Inc. in 2019, he has served as moderator emeritus for that organization since 2024. Further, in obedience to the Lord's command to preach the gospel to the nations (Matthew 28:19), Dr. Boyce has rendered Christian service in various ways. These include his part in a mission to Migori, Kenya (ITC/Youth Hope Builders Global Initiative, 2018) and his co-establishing of Hope Builders Academy (a school for orphaned and impoverished children, also in Migori, Kenya, 2018-present). He also served as a board member of the United Christian Athletic Association (a basketball outreach to youth and adults in Greenville County, 2003-2009); and

 

Whereas, Dr. Boyce considers it one of the greatest triumphs of his life that he was able to persuade the lovely Schevelle Thomas Boyce to become his wife. Married on May 28, 2005, they are the delighted parents of two children: Jillian Anise, born in 2009, and Antonio Josiah, born in 2013; and

 

Whereas, with great pleasure, the members of the House honor Dr. Boyce and extend their sincere thanks for his dedicated pastoral care over a quarter-century of distinguished ministerial service. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Dr. Tony Boyce of Mt. Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church of Greenville on the occasion of his twenty-fifth ministerial anniversary and wish him continued blessing in his service to the Lord.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Tony Boyce.

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