78S41287 KO-D By: Dutton H.R. No. 220R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, For the past 113 years, First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church has offered a spiritual home to members of Houston's Fifth Ward community; and WHEREAS, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church was established in the spring of 1891 by a few devout families who had migrated from Shreveport, Louisiana, to Houston to seek employment; they initially met in Kelly Hall on Hill Street, now known as Jensen Drive; over the years, the congregation gathered at a number of different locations until 1955, when the current house of worship was built on Lyons Avenue and renamed First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church; and WHEREAS, Under the inspired leadership of the Reverend James R. Miller since 2000, the church has expanded its membership by 164 members, bringing the congregation to a total of 369 worshippers as of February 2004; while experiencing phenomenal growth in recent years, the church has remained focused on its motto, "First Shiloh, a Christ-Centered, Bible Believing, Bible Teaching, Bible Obeying Church," and its three purposes: worship, evangelism, and discipleship; and WHEREAS, Playing a vital role in Houston's Fifth Ward, First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church has long served as a source of strength and inspiration to its members, and it is most fitting that this venerable place of worship and its dedicated congregation be honored; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby congratulate the Reverend James R. Miller and all those associated with First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church on the 113th anniversary of their church and that they be commended for the many significant contributions they have made to the betterment of the community; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.