By Denny H.R. No. 668 75R12225 SAJ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On May 4, 1997, Pastor Emeritus M. L. Jones will be 1-2 honored for his 40 years of outstanding service to the First 1-3 Baptist Church and the citizens of Rockwall County, and this 1-4 special recognition is indeed well deserved; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Reverend Jones was born December 17, 1926, in 1-6 Cassville, Missouri, and earned a divinity degree from Southwestern 1-7 Theological Seminary in Fort Worth in 1956; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Upon his ordination in 1948, he began his ministry 1-9 at Cross Roads Baptist Church in Missouri; he moved to Texas in 1-10 1950 and became pastor of Rockwall's First Baptist Church in 1957; 1-11 he held that position for more than 30 years and has remained 1-12 active in the congregation as pastor emeritus since his retirement 1-13 in 1989; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Under his leadership, the church has sponsored two 1-15 missions, Lake Pointe Baptist Church and Iglesia Bautista Del Lago, 1-16 the first Spanish mission in the county, and the church also 1-17 supports a home for furloughing missionaries; and 1-18 WHEREAS, An ardent and active servant of the Lord, he shared 1-19 his devotion with countless others through his participation in the 1-20 Dallas Baptist Association as well as on evangelistic travels to 1-21 Jamaica, the Middle East, India, and Europe, and in doing so, he 1-22 has helped many people to center their lives around Jesus Christ; 1-23 and 1-24 WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, he has enjoyed the love and 2-1 support of his wife, Emma Jeanne Jones, and the couple's sons, John 2-2 and Bill; more recently, the Joneses have welcomed the addition of 2-3 their children's spouses, Stella and Sue, and four beloved 2-4 grandchildren into their close-knit family; and 2-5 WHEREAS, In Reverend Jones, the church has found both a 2-6 preacher and a stalwart friend for the work of the ministry; his 2-7 religious guidance has provided moral leadership and spiritual 2-8 support to countless individuals, and he is indeed worthy of our 2-9 highest praise and recognition as he celebrates four decades of 2-10 service to his church; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-12 Legislature hereby commend Pastor Emeritus M. L. Jones for his 2-13 exceptional contributions to the First Baptist Church and Rockwall 2-14 County and extend to him warmest best wishes for continued success 2-15 and fulfillment in all his future endeavors; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-17 prepared for Reverend Jones as an expression of high regard by the 2-18 Texas House of Representatives.