A house RESOLUTION

TO HONOR BISHOP ERIC LEAKE on becoming the bishop of the south atlantic district IN THE LINE OF SUCCESSION OF THE AME ZION CHURCH, FOR HIS FORTY YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED MINISTRY AND TO EXTEND TO HIM A WARM WELCOME TO THE PALMETTO STATE AND TO THE CITY OF ROCK HILL.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Bishop Eric Leake has become the Bishop of the South Atlantic District in the line of succession of the AME Zion Church, is celebrating his fortieth anniversary as a minister of the gospel, and the members take great pleasure in welcoming him to the Palmetto State and to the fair City of Rock Hill as he celebrates that preeminent ministerial milestone; and

Whereas, the son of Mrs. Sarah Jean Dumas Leake, the late Mr. Percy Leake, and the late Mr. William Richard Johnson, Bishop Eric Leake was born August 11, 1963, in Troy, North Carolina, and reared in Mount Gilead, North Carolina. Having committed his life to Jesus Christ during a revival at Ingram's Chapel AME Zion Church in Mount Gilead, the young Eric became a member of his home church, McAuley Memorial AME Zion Church, also in Mount Gilead; and

Whereas, Reverend Leake's ministerial background dates back to when he preached his first sermon at the age of 21 at the McAuley Memorial AME Zion Church in Mount Gilead. Since then, he has served the church and community through several pastorates and administrative roles within the AME Zion denomination. Bishop Leake has been assigned to the South Atlantic Episcopal District, previously having served the Southwestern Delta Episcopal District. He offers the Ministry of H.E.L.P. to Zion, which promotes health, evangelism, leadership, and prayer; and

Whereas, as a firm believer in a strong education, Bishop Leake began to prepare himself for his life's work by earning an associate degree in applied science from Montgomery Community College in Troy, North Carolina. He completed further studies at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1990. In 1995, he earned his Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina, and in 2004 he completed requirements for his Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. As part of his ministry, Bishop Leake is also the author of several publications, including Leadership in the 21st Century (2019, co-author), Making a Comeback: The Seven Components to Church Renewal (2016), and Praying on Purpose: Intentional Growth Through Prayer (2013); and

Whereas, Bishop Leake is the proud husband of the lovely Jean McMurray Leake from the Swift Street AME Zion Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, and she has been his friend, ministry partner, and greatest intercessor. The senior Leakes have four delightful children, Jessica, Joshua, Caleb, and Elijah, as well as four charming grandchildren. A family man, Bishop Leake enjoys cooking, walking, traveling, gardening, basketball games, and writing in his free time; and

Whereas, God continues to equip Bishop Leake for ministry to advance the Kingdom of God through "Launching Out Into the Deep: Bringing People In, Growing People Up, and Sending People Out"; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives is grateful for Bishop Leake's outstanding ministry, and the members appreciate his significant contributions to the spiritual welfare of this great nation's citizenry. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Bishop Eric Leake on becoming the Bishop of the South Atlantic District in the line of succession of the AME Zion Church, for his forty years of distinguished ministry and extend to him a warm welcome to the Palmetto State and to the City of Rock Hill.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Bishop Eric Leake.

----XX----