Bill Text: SC H4314 | 2015-2016 | 121st General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: James E. McKnight
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 77-46)
Status: (Passed) 2015-06-03 - Introduced and adopted [H4314 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2015-H4314-Introduced.html
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO HONOR JAMES E. MCKNIGHT, FORMER PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE CHURCH OF GOD BY FAITH, INC., FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF GOSPEL MINISTRY, TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RECENT RETIREMENT, AND TO WISH HIM GOD'S RICHEST BLESSINGS AS HE CONTINUES TO SERVE THE LORD.
Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to nurture the souls of men; and
Whereas, James E. McKnight, former presiding bishop of the Church of God by Faith, Inc., stands among their number as an outstanding minister of the Gospel, one much admired by all who know him; and
Whereas, this lifelong resident of Gainesville, Florida, was educated at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. Answering the call of his country, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. Bishop McKnight became an ordained minister of the Church of God by Faith in 1957, and later received an honorary doctoral degree; and
Whereas, his pastoral assignments were preceded by service as a deacon under the leadership of his father and pastor, Elder H.A. McKnight, Sr. He was appointed senior pastor of Gainesville but also pastored in Hopewell, Hawthorne, Raleigh, and Gainesville No. 2. He has faithfully pastored Gainesville Church of God by Faith for over half a century; and
Whereas, on the national level, Bishop McKnight began his service in 1960 as executive secretary and in 1984 took up his duties as presiding bishop of the Church of God by Faith, from which post he retired in December 2014; and
Whereas, very involved in the community, Bishop McKnight has served as a board member of the Eastside Clinic and Black on Black Crime Task Force for many years. He was instrumental in providing shelter to the residents of a major apartment community displaced by fire. For his committed labors, he has received several awards as a distinguished leader in the Gainesville community; and
Whereas, James McKnight has been the proud husband of Mother Jessie M. McKnight for more than fifty-nine years, and God has blessed the couple with four children, James, Jr., John, Jonathan, and Janice, as well as eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives, cognizant of his many years of spiritual nourishment of the people of this country, takes great pleasure in commending Bishop McKnight and in wishing him God's best as he continues to run the race the Lord has set before him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor James E. McKnight, former presiding bishop of the Church of God by Faith, Inc., for his many years of Gospel ministry, congratulate him on the occasion of his recent retirement, and wish him God's richest blessings as he continues to serve the Lord.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Bishop James E. McKnight.
