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.