A house RESOLUTION

 

to honor Reverend Donnie Carl Chambers of Red Hill Baptist Church in Gadsden, and to congratulate him for thirty-four years of meaningful ministry and service to the congregation.

 

Whereas, it is entirely appropriate to honor those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to nurture the souls of men.  The Reverend Donnie Carl Chambers of Red Hill Baptist Church stands among their number as an outstanding minister of the gospel, one much admired by colleagues, congregations, and area residents at large; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Chambers was ordained into the Gospel ministry in 1984 at Golden Grove Baptist Church in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, and received his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1987; and

 

Whereas, prior to his call to Red Hill Baptist Church, Reverend Chambers faithfully served as pastor of Goodwill Baptist Church in Greenville for four years and served as one of the associate ministers at Zion Baptist Church on Washington Street in Columbia; and

 

Whereas, in October 1992, he was installed as the seventh pastor of Red Hill Baptist Church, where he has faithfully shepherded the congregation, encouraging its members to grow in faith, serve others, and reach souls for Christ; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Chambers has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to Christian education, missions, community service, and the advancement of the kingdom of God through his affiliation with the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, the South Carolina Congress of Christian Education, and the Columbia Chapter of the NAACP; and

 

Whereas, he has served the Wateree Baptist Association Upper Division in numerous leadership capacities, including moderator, vice moderator, chairman of the executive council, and chairman of the Wateree Baptist Association Retreat Center, and presently serves as moderator of the Wateree Baptist Association Upper Division; and

 

Whereas, under Reverend Chambers' dynamic leadership, Red Hill Baptist Church has experienced significant spiritual, educational, physical, and community growth, including the completion of an education wing, fellowship hall, and classrooms; the establishment of children's and youth church; the appointment of a youth minister; expanded Bible study and worship opportunities; and

 

Whereas, during Reverend Chambers' tenure, the church has grown in membership and budget, paved its parking lot, acquired more than one hundred forty acres of land, purchased a twenty-five-passenger bus, established a food pantry, installed a community marquee, and upgraded its sanctuary with state-of-the-art multimedia and sound equipment; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Chambers' commitment to community service helped establish the Congaree Complex Community Development Corporation, which empowers residents of Lower Richland and surrounding communities by addressing economic and educational needs and expanding access to spiritual, physical, and mental health services; and

 

Whereas, under this vision, the Red Hill Community Development Complex, a multipurpose facility designed to house and support community activities, was completed, further establishing Red Hill Baptist Church as a vital resource and blessing to the surrounding community; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Chambers shares his ministry and life with his beloved wife, Evangelist Onetha Chambers, and together they are the proud parents of three children, three children-in-law, and nine grandchildren; and

 

Whereas, because of his many years of spiritual nourishment of the people of South Carolina, Reverend Chambers is due grateful thanks and best wishes as he continues to run the race the Lord has set before him.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Reverend Donnie Carl Chambers of Red Hill Baptist Church in Gadsden and congratulate him for thirty-four years of meaningful ministry and service to the congregation.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Donnie Carl Chambers.

----XX----