By Davis                                               H.R. No. 665
       74R10691 SAJ-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to
    1-2  commend the Reverend James W. Wiley for many years of faithful
    1-3  service to the Christian ministry and honor him as he begins his
    1-4  most recent calling as pastor of Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church
    1-5  in Dallas; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, An accomplished minister, he received his bachelor's
    1-7  degree from United Theology Seminary in Seattle, Washington, before
    1-8  going on to earn a master of theology degree and a doctor of
    1-9  ministry degree from A. L. Hardy Academy of Theology; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, He has furthered his religious studies over the
   1-11  years through course work with the Southern Bible Institute in
   1-12  Dallas, the National Baptist Sunday School and Training Union
   1-13  Congress,  Christian Continuance Education, and Inter-City
   1-14  Christian Fellowship of Seattle; a man of boundless devotion, he
   1-15  also worked for the betterment of the Christian ministry as second
   1-16  vice president of the Washington State Baptist Sunday School and
   1-17  Baptist Training Union Congress; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, Reverend Wiley began his ministry in 1977, offering
   1-19  comfort and spiritual guidance to his growing flock as minister of
   1-20  the gospel; he became founder and pastor of True Vine Baptist
   1-21  Church in Seattle in 1983, and his wise and thoughtful counsel
   1-22  helped immensely in guiding the church during its formative years;
   1-23  and
   1-24        WHEREAS, Pastor Wiley answered the call to Greater Mount
    2-1  Olive Baptist Church on March 13, 1995, and he immediately earned
    2-2  the trust and respect of that congregation with  his contagious
    2-3  spirit of humility, love, and devotion; as a candidate for pastor,
    2-4  he sought to share his faith with all members of the congregation
    2-5  by conducting weekly Bible classes at the church, visiting with
    2-6  homebound members, extending a caring hand to the bereaved, and
    2-7  providing spiritual strength and encouragement to many others; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, A man of great vision and courage, he has proven to
    2-9  be a highly effective religious leader as well, and he has helped
   2-10  the 96-year-old church to set lofty goals for the future while
   2-11  maintaining a proper appreciation for its past; by stressing an old
   2-12  reliable strategy: "Plan your work and work your plan," he aspires
   2-13  to continue doing great work for the Lord; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, Pastor Wiley also is a devoted family man; he is the
   2-15  beloved husband of Doris J. Wiley, and they are the proud parents
   2-16  of four children, Kevin, Craig, Cheniqua, and LaTondria; and
   2-17        WHEREAS, In Reverend Wiley, the church has found both a
   2-18  preacher and a stalwart friend for the work of the ministry; his
   2-19  religious guidance has provided comfort and spiritual support to
   2-20  countless individuals, and as the new minister of Greater Mount
   2-21  Olive Baptist Church, he is indeed worthy of special praise and
   2-22  recognition; now, therefore, be it
   2-23        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-24  Legislature hereby honor the Reverend James W. Wiley for his many
   2-25  years of outstanding service to the Christian ministry and extend
   2-26  to him best wishes for continued success and fulfillment; and, be
   2-27  it further
    3-1        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-2  prepared for Reverend Wiley as an expression of high regard by the
    3-3  Texas House of Representatives.