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[Pages S6242-S6243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 589--HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF REFORMED
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Mr. WICKER (for himself, Mr. Cochran, and Mr. Graham) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary:
S. Res. 589
Whereas Reformed Theological Seminary was founded in
Jackson, Mississippi, in 1966, with the mission of serving
the Christian community by preparing Christian leaders
through a program of graduate theological education;
Whereas the vision for Reformed Theological Seminary
originated in a prayer meeting of the following 5 Mississippi
pastors: Sam Patterson, Erskine Jackson, John Reed Miller,
James Spencer, and William Stanway;
Whereas the founders of Reformed Theological Seminary were
Sam Patterson, Robert Cannada, Erskine Wells, Frank Horton,
Bob Kennington, and Frank Tindall, and early board members
included Elliott Belcher, Robert Rugeley, Hugh Potts, Emory
Folmar, Gettys Guille, H.S. Williford, Sr., Horace Hull,
Charles Harmon, and Roy LeCraw, many of whom were prominent
Mississippians;
Whereas Reformed Theological Seminary opened its doors to
14 students from 8 colleges and 3 denominations in 1966, and
has educated well over 12,000 students through the years,
with over 6,000 graduates serving the Lord and the Christian
Church in more than 80 countries around the world;
Whereas Reformed Theological Seminary is the largest
accredited seminary in the State of Mississippi;
Whereas Reformed Theological Seminary has campuses and
extensions in--
(1) Jackson, Mississippi;
(2) Orlando, Florida;
(3) Charlotte, North Carolina;
(4) Atlanta, Georgia;
(5) Houston, Texas;
(6) Memphis, Tennessee;
(7) McLean, Virginia; and
(8) New York City, New York;
Whereas Reformed Theological Seminary has established a
global distance education program with online students on
every populated continent, and a doctoral program with
Mackenzie University in Sao Paulo, Brazil;
Whereas Reformed Theological Seminary is one of the largest
accredited theological seminaries in North America, having
prepared students for service in over 73 denominations, and
with graduates who have started no fewer than 23 theological
educational institutions around the world;
Whereas Reformed Theological Seminary has over 40 full-time
faculty members instructing over 1,500 current students in 9
different degree programs, readying them to serve the
Christian Church and all Christians with a mind for truth, a
life for ministry, and a heart for the Lord;
Whereas Reformed Theological Seminary graduates continue on
to vocations not only as pastors, but also as counselors,
chaplains, teachers, church planters, missionaries, campus
ministers, relief workers, and community leaders, thus
contributing greatly to
[[Page S6243]]
the well-being of their neighbors, communities, and culture,
in the United States and around the world;
Whereas Reformed Theological Seminary has been a blessing
to the United States and an ambassador for the Lord around
the world; and
Whereas, on October 6 and 7, 2016, Reformed Theological
Seminary will celebrate its 50th Anniversary: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates Reformed Theological Seminary for 50
years of faith-inspired service;
(2) expresses profound respect and deep appreciation for--
(A) the transformational impact Reformed Theological
Seminary has had on the United States; and
(B) the beneficent service of Reformed Theological Seminary
to humanity around the world; and
(3) expresses heartfelt wishes for continued blessings and
achievement in the decades to come.
____________________
