A senate RESOLUTION

to congratulate and honor reverend sammy lee wade upon the occasion of his twenty-fifth anniversary as pastor of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Eastover.

Whereas, Reverend Wade is a native of Charleston, the son of the late Herbert Wade and the late Leaseanna Alston Wade Simmons, and the youngest of seven living siblings.  He was baptized at an early age at the Lovely Mountain Baptist Church in North Charleston and was ordained in September 1984, by the Charleston County Baptist Association; and

Whereas, Reverend Wade earned an associate degree in liberal arts, a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, a master's degree in biblical studies, and a Master of Divinity degree. He is certified in Clinical Pastoral Education.  In June 2023, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanitarianism from Global Alliance Institute (GIA).  His numerous honors include the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award presented by President Joe Biden, a Richland County Proclamation for "Share Operation Care," and the Order of the Silver Crescent awarded by Governor Mark Sanford; and

Whereas, Reverend Wade taught World Religion as an adjunct instructor at Benedict College.  He has faithfully served as a part-time chaplain at Dorn Veterans Hospital and the South Carolina Department of Corrections and taught at the Department of Juvenile Justice.  He is also a published author of Faith in Action: The Principles of Servant Leadership; and

Whereas, a retired United States Army veteran of twenty-six years, Reverend Wade served in key leadership roles, including assistant inspector general at Fort Leavenworth, and was commissioned as an Army chaplain; and

Whereas, Reverend Wade is the founder and chief executive officer of J.U.M.P.S. (Juveniles Upholding Morals and Principles of Society), a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving youth and the underserved.  He co-directs, alongside Mrs. Mary Wade, the Mary Lee Howell Holiday Food Box Program, which provides food assistance to senior citizens.  He is the founder of the Gospel Hammer Project and the Lower Richland Veterans Formation and organized the International Seminary Extension in Lower Richland in 2003 to train ministers and Christian workers; and

Whereas, Reverend Wade played an instrumental role in coordinating and negotiating the designation that allowed Mt. Nebo Baptist Church and St. John Baptist Church to become the first churches in South Carolina certified as Safe Haven sites.  He is co-founder of Southeast Rural Community Outreach (SERCO), founder of Tri-City Visionaries, and the visionary behind "Swamp Fest," a widely attended and impactful community event in Lower Richland.  In addition, he is an entrepreneur and successful businessman engaged in networking and transportation services through veterans' affairs; and

Whereas, currently, Reverend Wade is the pastor of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church and St. John Baptist Church in Hopkins, and chaplain for the Community Wellness Group and is the former moderator of the Wateree Baptist Association Upper Division. He has served on several community boards, including the Richland One Strategic Planning Committee, the Richland County Health Care Association Board, and the Richland County Blue Ribbon Disaster Relief Board; and

Whereas, Reverend Wade is a gifted preacher, revivalist, vocalist, and visionary leader who has overseen the development of numerous ministry teams.  He has been featured on gospel recordings by his son, Reverend Jabari Wade, including, "I Claim my Destiny" and "Greater Works"; and

Whereas, Reverend Wade is married to the former Mary Ann Johnson of North Charleston.  Together, they are blessed with three children, Kanika Aisha (deceased), Jabari Darweshi (Melissa Jones), and Kamilah Rehema (Allen Frazier Brown), and are proud grandparents of Jabari Darweshi Wade II, Jayion Christopher Wade, and Jelissa Samirah Wade; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate deeply appreciate the enduring ministry, leadership, and community service of Reverend Sammy Lee Wade and are honored to recognize his twenty-five years of faithful pastoral service.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate and honor Reverend Sammy Lee Wade upon the occasion of his twenty-fifth anniversary as Pastor of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Eastover.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Sammy Lee Wade.