SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 766

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased
to welcome to the State Capitol Pastor Tyrone D. Gordon of
Saint Luke's Community United Methodist Church, who will 
celebrate his first anniversary with the church in June of 2003; 
and

	WHEREAS, Pastor Gordon became pastor of Saint Luke's 
Community United Methodist Church in Dallas after 14 years of 
service as pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in 
Wichita, Kansas, where under his leadership, the church 
experienced a phenomenal growth from 350 members in 1988 to over 
2,500 members in 2002; he had previously served as a minister in 
Little Rock, Arkansas; and

	WHEREAS, Tyrone Gordon was born in Los Angeles, California, 
and received his bachelor of arts degree from Bishop College in 
Dallas; after theological graduate work at Fuller Theological 
Seminary in Pasadena, California, he earned his master's of 
divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern 
Methodist University in 1984; and

	WHEREAS, Throughout the years of his ministry, he has been 
active in numerous organizations, including the General Council 
on Ministries and Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st 
Century; Pastor Gordon has also served as the national president 
of Black Methodists for Church Renewal and as a delegate to the 
General and Jurisdictional Conferences in 1992, 1996, and 2000; 
and

	WHEREAS, Noted for his community leadership, he served on 
the Wichita Board of Education, the Wichita Children's Home Board 
of Trustees, and the Greater Wichita Foundation Board; he has 
been a member of the Wichita Ministerial League and the Salvation 
Army Advisory Board; and

	WHEREAS, He is active in the National Association for the 
Advancement of Colored People and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and 
is the author of Strengthening the Black Church through Worship, 
published by the General Board of Discipleship; he has written a 
new book that will be released this year; and

	WHEREAS, Pastor Gordon is married to the former
Marsha Douglas, and the couple has two beautiful daughters, 
Lauren and Allyson; and

	WHEREAS, A man of spiritual depth and devotion, Pastor Gordon 
has performed countless ceremonies and has prayed for and counseled 
his church members during their hardships and in times of 
bereavement; he has had a positive influence on the lives of many 
Christians and is truly a dedicated and committed church leader; 
now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby commend Reverend Tyrone D. Gordon for 
his outstanding ministry to his church and to the community and 
extend to him a hearty welcome to the State Capitol; and, be it 
further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
Pastor Gordon as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                            West




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 12, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate