A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE REVEREND DR. WALTER BUTLER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS TWENTY-SIXTH ANNIVERSARY AS MINISTER OF ST. PAUL BAPTIST CHURCH IN LEXINGTON.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were pleased to learn that the Reverend Dr. Walter Butler will be honored for twenty-six years of service to St. Paul Baptist Church in Lexington at a celebration to be held on April 16, 2023; and

Whereas, born in Saluda, South Carolina, he is the son of Mr. Johnny Butler and Mrs. Abbie Jennings; and

Whereas, at an early age, he was an active member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Johnston, South Carolina; and

Whereas, in preparation for his calling, he earned a degree in Divinity at Morris College, Sumter, South Carolina, and in 2005 he completed a master of divinity degree from Morehouse College-The International Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia; and

Whereas, together with his beloved wife of fifty years, the former Clara Bookhardt, the Reverend Dr. Butler has reared four fine children, Lakeshia, Deneathra, Waretha, and Jonovea; and

Whereas, in 2008 he graduated from Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina, with a doctor of ministry degree, and in 2001 he was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Morris College; and

Whereas, in 1974, he answered the call of God to serve as pastor of the Granger Baptist Church in Elloree, South Carolina, where he initiated numerous ministries and promoted church growth; and

Whereas, in 1997, he was called to serve as pastor of Saint Paul Baptist Church in Lexington where he helped increase overall discipleship through developing leadership training and new membership orientation and creating a women's ministry, purchased new church buses, and purchased 6.25 acres of land; and

Whereas, the Reverend Dr. Butler was elected as pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in 1997 and continues there with a primary focus of manifesting Jesus as Lord through the development of discipleship by which the church has experienced substantial growth; and

Whereas, he serves the community as a member of the Baptist E and M Convention. Reverend Dr. Walter Butler also serves as the moderator of the Gethsemane Baptist Association; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the significant impact that the Reverend Dr. Walter Butler has had on the spiritual needs of his community and appreciates his twenty-six years of devotion to St. Paul Baptist Church. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate the Reverend Dr. Walter Butler, on the occasion of his twenty-six year anniversary as minister of St. Paul Baptist Church in Lexington.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Reverend Dr. Walter Butler.

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