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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1562-E1563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE REV. DR. JACQUELINE A. THOMPSON
_____
HON. BARBARA LEE
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, December 9, 2019
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rev.
Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson in celebration of her installation as the
Senior Pastor of the Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland,
California.
Rev. Thompson was raised by a mother who believed in the importance
of church. In her own words at the age of 12, Dr. Thompson realized
that church was ``not to be just about singing and having a good time
in the Lord. But rather there was a purpose and a mandate with a
measurable objective''.
After graduating from College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1993,
Dr. Thompson began teaching history and politics. While teaching
allowed her to positively impact lives in her community and while she
loved teaching, she felt called to impact lives in a different way.
In 1995, Dr. Thompson followed her calling and returned to her church
family and was licensed to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was
later ordained in 1998 by the Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. at
Allen Temple Baptist Church.
Later she attended Howard University School of Divinity where she
excelled in academic scholarship, preaching and ministry. As a result,
she received several awards including The Who's Who Among Students in
American Colleges and Universities, The Ford Foundation Fellowship, and
The Nannie Helen Burroughs Award.
During her time at Howard University, she served as the Minister of
Youth at the Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. Her love for
teaching and affinity with youth allowed the young people in the
Ministry to flourish under her leadership.
Dr. Thompson graduated from Howard University in 1998 earning a
Master of Divinity Degree with honors.
[[Page E1563]]
In 2001, she was appointed Executive Director of the Shiloh Family
Life Center Foundation, Inc. In this leadership position Dr. Thompson
raised over 5 million dollars for non-profit outreach. This money
allowed the church to grow and foster their Afterschool program, Senior
Center, Day Care Center, HIV/AIDS program, Human Services Program,
Community Computer Center, Debutante Program and Teen Mothers'
Empowerment Program.
In 2010, Dr. Thompson was installed as the Assistant Pastor of the
Allen Temple Baptist Church--the first woman to ever serve in this
capacity. In 2013, Dr. Thompson became a Doctor of Ministry in African
American Church Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena,
California.
Dr. Thompson has demonstrated that she is the right woman, for the
right time, who has come ``for such a time as this'' to lead such a
spirit filled congregation. Her sense of justice to serve the ``least
of these, our brothers and sisters' in the manner described by our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ, will continue to be a hallmark of this
historic church.
Today, I join the Allen Temple Church Family and the greater East Bay
community in celebrating her installation, as the first female Senior
Pastor in the Church's 100-year history. As we look ahead to this new
season in our church history, let us continue as Micah 6:8 reminds us
``to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.''
On behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, we
congratulate Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson, as she is installed as
the next pastor of the historic Allen Temple Baptist Church.
____________________