A house RESOLUTION

 

To commend Bishop Jalen De'Vonte Whittleton on his installation as pastor of New Zion Baptist Church in Blackstock in Fairfield County and to extend heartfelt congratulations to him on this significant milestone. 

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to recognize Bishop Jalen De'Vonte Whittleton on the occasion of his installation as the new pastor of New Zion Baptist Church in Blackstock and to recognize his dedicated service to faith and community; and

 

Whereas, born on April 19 in Columbia, Bishop Whittleton sensed his divine calling to the gospel ministry at a young age. Accompanying his mother to various churches across denominational lines, where she ministered in song, he came to understand that God had a greater purpose for his life; and

 

Whereas, Bishop Whittleton is a proud alumnus of Irmo High School, where he founded a social club and served as president of the award-winning Victory in Praise Gospel Choir. He continued his theological education at Benedict College and the School of the Great Commission Theological Seminary, where he preached his initial sermon, was ordained to the priesthood, and established Revelation Tabernacle Ministries in Columbia. His academic journey culminated with a degree in Christian leadership in August 2011, a master's degree in theology in December 2014, and an honorary doctor of divinity in 2018. In 2023, he earned a doctorate in church history from Transfiguration Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is currently pursuing a degree in religious studies at Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary; and

 

Whereas, on April 30, 2016, Bishop Whittleton was consecrated to the Bishopric by the late Bishop James Edward Wiley Jr. and the late Apostle Floyd E. Nelson Sr. and appointed as diocesan prelate of the First Episcopal Diocese of the United Churches of Deliverance Apostolic, Inc. He now serves as the assistant presiding bishop for the Ecumenical Convergence of Christian Ministries under the leadership of Reverend Hayward Clemon Smith II. Additionally, he contributes as a member of the consortium think tank committee for the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops; and

 

Whereas, in 2020, Bishop Whittleton was featured in the TIME Magazine short film Starting from Scratch, and that same year published his first book, The Burden of Divorce; and

 

Whereas, Bishop Whittleton is blessed with a loving family, including his devoted wife, Rasheeda Whittleton, and their three beautiful children, Jayla Victoria, Jailey Brielle, and Skylar Cash. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Capital City Lodge #47, and the Columbia chapter of the NAACP. He is also the former vice president of Theta Alpha Kappa, Inc., a religious fraternity at Benedict College; and

 

Whereas, he holds the Thirty-Third Degree in Prince Hall Masonry and serves as Associate Grand Prior of the United Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Additionally, he is a member of Wayman Lodge #1339 of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows and serves as Establishmentarian of The Experience Cathedral in Mooresboro, North Carolina; and

 

Whereas, Bishop Whittleton believes his calling is to help souls receive Christ and the baptism of the Holy Spirit through preaching holiness, love, unity, and operating under the anointing of the Holy Ghost. His personal motto is, "I am what I am by the grace of God. For it is nothing that I've done, but it is the pure power of the Holy Ghost that moves through a willing vessel." Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commend Bishop Jalen De'Vonte Whittleton on his installation as pastor of New Zion Baptist Church in Blackstock in Fairfield County and extend heartfelt congratulations to him on this significant milestone. 

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Bishop Jalen De'Vonte Whittleton.

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