TITLE: Commending the Reverend Rocky D. Pope of Mimosa Lane Baptist Church in Mesquite on his 25th pastoral anniversary.

SUMMARY: Commending the Reverend Rocky D. Pope of Mimosa Lane Baptist Church in Mesquite on his 25th pastoral anniversary.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, For 25 years, the Reverend Rocky D. Pope has wholeheartedly committed himself to advancing the mission of Mimosa Lane Baptist Church in Mesquite; and WHEREAS, Reverend Pope has guided the church since 1992, and under his leadership, the congregation has flourished; each year, he conducts an average of 50 baptisms, and the church has added facilities to meet the needs of its growing membership; the Lillie B. White Preschool/Children's Building was constructed in 1996, and the newly expanded worship center was completed in 2002; and WHEREAS, With a strong commitment to multiethnic and cross-cultural outreach, Reverend Pope has expanded the church's evangelism internationally; the congregation supports missions to Mexico, Africa, India, Brazil, and the Philippines, and it has assisted in establishing churches in Canada and in the Dallas Metroplex; in the local community, it maintains such valuable initiatives as a deaf ministry, a counseling center, and an ESL and literacy program, as well as many charitable efforts; and WHEREAS, Reverend Pope is moderator of the Dallas Baptist Association executive board, and he has served the association in many other capacities, among them vice president of the Pastors' Conference; in addition, he served for six years as a trustee of East Texas Baptist University, and his affiliations include the Mesquite and Princeton Ministerial Alliances and the Grayson and Collin Associations; and WHEREAS, The son of a Baptist pastor, Reverend Pope completed his bachelor's degree in religion at East Texas Baptist University and his master's degree in religious education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; he began his career in the ministry as associate pastor at Mambrino Baptist Church in Granbury and went on to serve as pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Princeton and then North Park Baptist Church in Sherman; in all his endeavors, he enjoys the support and encouragement of his wife, Dawn, and he is the proud father of a daughter, Leah, and a son, Luke; and WHEREAS, This inspiring clergyman has led Mimosa Lane Baptist Church with conviction and compassion, and he has earned the lasting respect and admiration of his congregants as well as members of the greater community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend the Reverend Rocky D. Pope for his outstanding 25-year tenure with Mimosa Lane Baptist Church and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success with his important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Reverend Pope as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Burkett Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 497 was adopted by the House on August 15, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House