By: West H.R. No. 222 73R3642 PFG-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is privileged to 1-2 honor the Temple Baptist Church of Odessa on the joyful occasion of 1-3 the congregation's 50th anniversary in February 1993; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Founded on the first Sunday in February of 1943, the 1-5 congregation consisted originally of 20 members led by Pastor 1-6 Marvin Clark; after worshiping for a brief period in a converted 1-7 liquor store that served as the church's first structure, the 1-8 fledgling church soon relocated to its familiar location on the 1-9 corner of 10th and Texas, where it remains to this day; and 1-10 WHEREAS, On September 12, 1947, senior pastor Curtis Thorpe 1-11 joined the congregation and quickly ushered in an energetic period 1-12 of rapid growth and development, increasing church membership 1-13 through a tireless and highly successful door-to-door crusade; 1-14 today, an average of 1,750 members attend Temple Baptist Church 1-15 services each Sunday as the church continues to build on Reverend 1-16 Thorpe's enduring legacy of dynamic Christian ministry; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Currently in his 46th year with the church, Reverend 1-18 Thorpe continues his long and respected affiliation with Temple 1-19 Baptist Church in his role as pastor emeritus; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Today, the congregation thrives under the inspired 1-21 and steady guidance of Reverend Jerry Thorpe, the son of Reverend 1-22 Curtis Thorpe; a longtime member of the congregation, Reverend 1-23 Jerry Thorpe was ordained in Temple Baptist Church in 1957 and 1-24 assumed the duties of senior pastor in 1984; and 2-1 WHEREAS, In the five eventful decades since its founding, the 2-2 church has experienced phenomenal growth and now employs 12 2-3 full-time ministers; constructed in 1960 to support the church's 2-4 expanding ministries, the current auditorium was remodeled in 1986 2-5 and seating capacity increased to 1,500 to accommodate the growing 2-6 membership; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Actively committed to the church's outreach mission, 2-8 church members especially look forward to the annual Friends Day 2-9 celebration that is held on the last Sunday of October and has 2-10 become increasingly popular since its inception 20 years ago; in 2-11 1988, the celebration was attended by an unprecedented 4,435 2-12 faithful; and 2-13 WHEREAS, A cornerstone of the Odessa community for half a 2-14 century, the Temple Baptist Church plays a vital role in the 2-15 spiritual life of the city's residents; a tribute to the abiding 2-16 faith of its numerous members, this devout congregation has served 2-17 as a source of lasting strength and hope to generations of Texans 2-18 and indeed merits special legislative recognition on the occasion 2-19 of its 50th anniversary; now, therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-21 Legislature hereby congratulate the Temple Baptist Church of Odessa 2-22 on its 50th anniversary and extend to its members best wishes for 2-23 continued success; and, be it further 2-24 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-25 prepared for the Temple Baptist Church as an expression of highest 2-26 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.