[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               HONORING REVEREND ANTHONY Q. CORBETT, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2025

  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn 
remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a loving husband, 
dedicated father, doting grandfather, profound spiritual leader, 
committed public servant, and true man of God--Reverend Anthony Q. 
Corbett, Sr. Reverend Corbett transitioned from labor to reward on May 
21, 2025. He leaves behind many heavy hearts among his church family, 
across the state of Georgia, America, and abroad. A funeral service to 
celebrate his remarkable life was held on May 31, 2025, at the Macon 
Centreplex in Macon, Georgia.
  Pastor Corbett's journey in life began with his birth in Dublin, 
Georgia, on October 10, 1966, to the late Lillie Mae Corbett. He was a 
proud product of the Laurens County School System, graduating from West 
Laurens High School in 1984. He studied at Andersonville Baptist 
Seminary in Camilla, Georgia and received his Bachelor's of Biblical 
studies and Master's of Theology from the Emmanual Bible College. In 
2020, Pastor Corbett was awarded an honorary doctorate.
  Reverend Corbett began his ministerial journey as the Pastor of 
Stewart Chapel Baptist Church and went on to serve as Pastor of Rose 
Hill Baptist Church, Driskell Tabernacle Baptist Church and Greater New 
Evergreen Baptist Church. At every stop of his journey, he served with 
an humble spirit and caring heart. Helen Keller once said that ``The 
most pathetic person in the world is one that has sight, but no 
vision.'' Pastor Corbett always exhibited both sight and vision in 
carrying out God's purpose for his life. The Kingdom has been truly 
enriched by his love for God and people.
  On May 31, 1998, Pastor Corbett was installed as the Senior Pastor of 
Lundy Chapel Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. Under his visionary 
leadership, Lundy Chapel experienced remarkable growth, with an 
increase in membership and an expansion of its facilities to enhance 
the church's ability to reach souls for Jesus Christ. In 2001, Lundy 
Chapel celebrated the dedication of its new sanctuary, which boasts a 
seating capacity of 750. Always striving to upgrade facilities for the 
glory of God, Lundy Chapel completed its Education/Administrative 
Building and gymnasium in March of 2013. The most recent improvement 
project, initiated in November 2017 and completed in May 2019, included 
the addition of a spacious staging area, stage and broadcast lighting, 
improved audio and video systems, an atrium, cafe, and lofting areas 
conducive to meetings.
  Through Reverend Corbett's dynamic leadership, Lundy Chapel embraced 
a cutting-edge technology across its 37,000 square feet of facilities. 
In September 2016, he led a major overhaul of the church's website, 
including the development of a church mobile app, which enabled Lundy 
Chapel to reach people around the world through various streaming 
services.
  Perhaps the most impactful aspect of his ministry was the creation in 
2005 of the Lundy Higher Heights Community Enrichment Corporation. 
Reverend Corbett embraced the belief that ministry must extend beyond 
the church walls and embrace the entire community, not just the members 
of Lundy Chapel. The Lundy Higher Heights Community Enrichment 
Corporation aims to uplift young people by providing them with positive 
direction and inspiration. It also equips other community organizations 
with a blueprint to develop effective service programs. Reverend 
Corbett truly understood that education is the passport to the future 
which belongs to those who prepare for it today. The Community 
Enrichment Corporation offers scholarships and resources to young 
adults pursuing higher education.
  A generous mentor to many ministers of the Gospel, Reverend Corbett 
licensed and ordained over 30 new ministers and installed countless 
others.
  Never resting on his laurels, Reverend Corbett continually sought 
ways to improve himself, the Church, and his community. He was 
appointed by then President, Reverend Curtis Raines, Sr. as the State 
Coordinator for the Moderator and Ministers Division of the General 
Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, (GMBC), to which he was later 
elected as President. The convention encompasses over 600 churches 
throughout Georgia with more than 500,000 members. During his tenure, 
Reverend Corbett pushed the convention to adhere to the ideals of 
Worship, Mission, Education, and Stewardship He also pushed the 
convention to engage in activities to promote social activism and civic 
engagement. He previously served two terms as moderator for the Mount 
Pleasant Missionary Baptist Association. The President of the National 
Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Reverend, Dr. Boise Kimber, appointed 
Reverend Corbett as Director of the Pastors and Ministers Division of 
the Convention.
  Reverend Corbett boldly preached the good news of Jesus Christ to 
prisons, youth camps, and international worship services. In 2020, he 
and Lundy Chapel were in invited to adopt the Gesore Joy in Christ 
Church in Nyamira, Kenya. As with all things he undertook, he embraced 
this challenge with excellence and led efforts to purchase and send 
essential items to Africa, supporting multiple organizations and 
orphanages of the Church there.
  Always looking for ways to make a difference, Reverend Corbett made 
history during his tenure as President of GMBC by appointing the first 
woman, the Reverend Valerie Thompson, to serve on the board of the 
Convention. He also recommended Reverend Thompson to serve on the Board 
of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
  Amid the great demands of his ministry, Reverend Corbett found time 
to give back to his community. It has been said that ``service is the 
rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' 
Reverend Corbett certainly paid his rent, and he paid it well. Pastor 
Corbett's service and love for the community led him to share Lundy 
Chapel's campus and resources with social and civic organizations 
throughout the Middle Georgia area, including the Macon Day Reporting 
Center, the District Attorney's Rise Initiative, River Edge Behavioral 
Health, and the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential, 
among many others.
  On a personal note, Reverend Corbett was a friend and supporter. He 
always had an encouraging word during difficult times, and I will be 
forever grateful for the strength of his character and the fidelity of 
his friendship.
  Reverend Corbett accomplished much in his life, but none of it would 
have been possible without the grace of God and the unwavering love and 
support of his wife of over 30 years, Juanita, as well as his six 
children, grandchildren and extended family.
  Mr. Speaker, my wife, Vivian, and I, along with the more than 765,000 
people of the Second Congressional District, salute Reverend Anthony Q. 
Corbett, Sr. for his outstanding accomplishments in ministry and his 
dedication to his community, state, nation, and the world. Moreover, I 
ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in 
extending our deepest condolences to Pastor Corbett's family, Lundy 
Chapel Baptist Church, the General Missionary Baptist Convention of 
Georgia, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and all who mourn 
his loss. We pray that they will all be consoled and comforted by an 
abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

                          ____________________