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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Over the past 40 years, Pastor Clarence O. Preston |
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of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Dallas has wholeheartedly dedicated |
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himself to his calling in the ministry; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Terrell, Clarence Preston earned his |
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bachelor's degree in sociology and religion from Jarvis Christian |
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College in Hawkins in 1993, and he went on to receive master's |
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degrees in Christian leadership from Criswell College in Dallas in |
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1998 and in education administration from Texas A&M |
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University-Commerce in 2000; in the years that followed, he |
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furthered his religious education by obtaining a master of divinity |
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degree in pastoral counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, |
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Virginia, a doctor of ministry degree from Houston Graduate School |
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of Theology, and a Ph.D. in Biblical studies from Midwestern |
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Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Preston previously led the congregations of |
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Goodwill Baptist Church of Greenville and El Bethel Baptist Church |
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of Waxahachie, prior to assuming the pastorate of Beth Eden Baptist |
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Church in 2007; during his time as the church's pastor, he has |
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provided invaluable guidance to his congregation and the wider |
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community; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to meeting the needs of his church, |
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Pastor Preston has served his denomination as a member of the Oak |
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Cliff Baptist Ministers Union, the Southern Baptist Convention, and |
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the National Missionary Baptist Convention; he also holds |
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membership in the NAACP and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and he |
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previously served as an assistant professor of religion at Jarvis |
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Christian University and as a trustee for Criswell College; he is |
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the author of two books, The Priesthood of All Believers: Uplifting |
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All Members and How to Make it Last Forever: Marriage from a |
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Christian Perspective; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Pastor Preston enjoys the love |
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and support of his wife, Charles Etta Dorsey Preston; the couple are |
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the parents of two children, Xavier and Charisma, and are further |
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blessed with a granddaughter, Imani; and |
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WHEREAS, Pastor Clarence O. Preston has inspired and uplifted |
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countless people throughout his exemplary career in the ministry, |
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and it is indeed a pleasure to join in recognizing this esteemed |
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clergyman for his notable achievements; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Clarence O. Preston on his 40th |
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pastoral anniversary and extend to him sincere best wishes for |
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continued success with his important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Dr. Preston as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |