TITLE: Recognizing David Michael and Claudette Anderson Copeland on the 30th anniversary of New Creation Christian Fellowship Church.

SUMMARY: Recognizing David Michael and Claudette Anderson Copeland on the 30th anniversary of New Creation Christian Fellowship Church.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Bishop David Michael Copeland and the Reverend Dr. Claudette Anderson Copeland and the 30th anniversary of their church, New Creation Christian Fellowship Church in Windcrest; and WHEREAS, Bishop Copeland and Dr. Copeland have shared a life of exemplary spiritual service; prior to establishing New Creation Christian Fellowship Church, they dedicated seven years to the United States Air Force Chaplaincy and were the first active-duty African American Chaplain couple to serve in that division of the military; and WHEREAS, The New Creation ministry had humble beginnings as a home-based prayer group in 1984, and the ministry came under the guidance of Bishop Copeland and Dr. Copeland after they left military duty in 1985; in the years that have followed, this dedicated couple has helped the church to grow and undertake countless ministries in Windcrest and the San Antonio community; the church currently serves over 5,000 parishioners; and WHEREAS, In addition to guiding the church's ministries, Bishop Copeland and Dr. Copeland serve as individual stewards of the greater Christian community; Bishop Copeland is a member of various Christian boards and serves as chair of the Martin Luther King Jr. March Commission in San Antonio; the march is the largest in the country; Dr. Copeland is the founder of a national empowerment group for women and has authored several books; she has been featured in Gospel Today,Essence magazine, and Ebony magazine as one of the 15 notable women preachers in the nation; and WHEREAS, Bishop Copeland and Dr. Copeland are highly respected spiritual leaders, and the 30th anniversary of their ministry and their church is indeed cause for celebration; as a tribute to his life of leadership, Bishop Copeland is being honored as Pastor of the Day at the Texas Senate; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby commend Bishop David Michael Copeland and the Reverend Dr. Claudette Anderson Copeland for 30 years of leadership at New Creation Christian Fellowship Church and for their many contributions to their community and the nation; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for these esteemed pastors as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Men ndez President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 20, 2015.