1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 412 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 1-4 recognize Reverend Ameal Jones, Sr., on the 18th anniversary 1-5 of his becoming pastor of Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Houston; 1-6 and 1-7 WHEREAS, A native of Alexandria, Louisiana, Reverend Jones 1-8 is married to Barbara, and they are the proud parents of five 1-9 children, two of whom are young adults and three who are teenagers; 1-10 and 1-11 WHEREAS, A graduate of Louisiana College and the New Orleans 1-12 Baptist Theological Seminary, Reverend Jones has been a chaplain 1-13 and a teacher of Bible and Theology at the Southwestern Baptist 1-14 Theological Seminary and Morehouse School of Religion; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Having served three other churches in Louisiana, 1-16 Reverend Jones assumed the pastorate of the Mount Ararat Baptist 1-17 Church in Houston 18 years ago; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Under the auspices of this outstanding pastor, 1-19 membership in the church has grown from 250 members to 2,200 1-20 members, and the church has 650 people in its Sunday School; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Aligned with both the Southern and National 2-1 Baptists, Mount Ararat has a fully accredited day care, an academy, 2-2 an apartment ministry, a deaf ministry, and a prison ministry; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Reverend Jones has preached, lectured, and 2-4 conducted workshops across the country and has done mission work 2-5 in Russia, South America, and Africa; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Under Pastor Jones's outstanding leadership, the 2-7 church has provided enlightenment, hope, and support to the Houston 2-8 community; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Inspirational and dedicated to helping others, 2-10 this beloved pastor has devoted his time and energy unselfishly 2-11 to the members of his church and the residents of Houston; and 2-12 WHEREAS, A man of spiritual depth and devotion, 2-13 Reverend Jones has performed countless ceremonies and has prayed 2-14 for and counselled his church members during their hardships and 2-15 in times of bereavement; and 2-16 WHEREAS, An accomplished theologian, Reverend Jones has 2-17 had a positive influence on the lives of many Christians; now, 2-18 therefore, be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-20 77th Legislature, hereby join the members of Mount Ararat Baptist 2-21 church in commending Reverend Ameal Jones, Sr., for his fervent 2-22 service to the church on his 18th pastoral anniversary; and, be 2-23 it further 3-1 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-2 him as an expression of highest regard from the Texas Senate. 3-3 Ellis 3-4 ______________________________________ 3-5 President of the Senate 3-6 I hereby certify that the above 3-7 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-8 on March 6, 2001. 3-9 ______________________________________ 3-10 Secretary of the Senate 3-11 ______________________________________ 3-12 Member, Texas Senate