A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CELEBRATE THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDRED sixtieth ANNIVERSARY OF THE St. Stephen Missionary Baptist CHURCH AND TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR Pastor William "BJ" Jefferson AND THE CONGREGATION FOR THEIR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE Rembert COMMUNITY.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its one hundred sixtieth anniversary on June 28, 2026; and

 

Whereas, St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church was established in 1866. Through hard work, dedication, and determination, the church has experienced much growth over the years under the leadership of many devoted pastors. The church was first led by Rev. Mayrant for many years until his death, when Rev. W. S. McCullough took over and served the church faithfully with his associates Rev. A. A. Harris and Rev. Steward; and

 

Whereas, Rev. A. A. Harris was then elected pastor, serving the church for twenty-one years and under his leadership, a new sanctuary was built in 1970. The deacons that served under Rev. Harris were Chairman Thomas Ferguson, Frank Singleton, Dan Adams, Sam Adams, Bossie Leonard, and Hamp Johnson. In 1983, Rev. Billy Bennett joined as pastor, serving for twenty-four years and making many great additions to the church. Serving on the St. Stephen Deacon Board under Rev. Bennett included Chairman Hamp Johnson, Assistant Chairman Arthur Williams, Robert Goodwin Sr., and David Leonard Jr., while Chairman Robert Moore, Freddie Goodwin, Eugene Goodwin, Issac Peay Jr., and the late Henry Williams and Willis Kershaw served on the trustee board; and

 

Whereas, in 1994, the education building, including the pastor's study, was added on to the church. By this time, two trustees, Robert Moore and Freddie Goodwin had been ordained as deacons. Deacon Williams stepped down, due to a decline in his health, and continued to serve as emeritus, while Deacon Moore was elected assistant chairman to Deacon Johnson. The trustee board consisted of Chairman Eugene Goodwin, Issac Peay Jr., George Johnson, Charlie Hampton, and Tyrone Horton; and

 

Whereas, in 2001, the St. Stephen Deacon Board included Chairman Freddie Goodwin, Assistant Chairman Robert Goodwin Sr., David Leonard Jr., and George Johnson, while the board of trustees consisted of Chairman Eugene Goodwin, Tyrone Horton, Harry Miligan, Thomas Robinson, and Earl Bynum; and

 

Whereas, while being without a pastor from 2006 to January 2008, Minister George Johnson served the church in 2007, from May to September, while the sanctuary was being renovated. Rev. Willie Dyers then served as interim pastor until January 13, 2008, when he was officially elected pastor. Minister Delores Stuckey joined the church in September of 2007. Around this time Sister Ida M. Taylor also joined the congregation as Mother of the Church. The deacon board at the time consisted of Chairman Robert Moore, David Leonard Jr., Freddie Goodwin, Robert Goodwin, as emeritus, and Henry Milligan; and

 

Whereas, today, under the leadership of Pastor William "BJ" Jefferson, the church hosts prayer services and Bible study every Wednesday night and provides many opportunities for involvement with groups such as the New Generations youth group, The Missionary, the Pastor's Pulpit Helpers, Sunday school, the gospel choir, the adult choir, the ushers ministry, and the male choir; and

 

Whereas, the mission of St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church is to faithfully teach the word of God and provide good works through the congregation. Their vision is to make the church's presence and ministries indispensable to the community; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives commend St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church in Rembert for over a century and a half of ministry in and service to the community and extend warmest congratulations on the occasion of the church's historic anniversary. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate the joyous occasion of the one hundred sixtieth anniversary of St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church and congratulate and honor Pastor William "BJ" Jefferson and the congregation for their years of dedicated service to the Rembert community.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Pastor William "BJ" Jefferson.

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