HR293 - Congratulating Dr. Clarence O. Preston of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Dallas on his 40th pastoral anniversary.

      H.R. No. 293       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Over the past 40 years, Pastor Clarence O. Preston   of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Dallas has wholeheartedly dedicated   himself to his calling in the ministry; and          WHEREAS, A native of Terrell, Clarence Preston earned his   bachelor's degree in sociology and religion from Jarvis Christian   College in Hawkins in 1993, and he went on to receive master's   degrees in Christian leadership from Criswell College in Dallas in   1998 and in education administration from Texas A&M   University-Commerce in 2000; in the years that followed, he   furthered his religious education by obtaining a master of divinity   degree in pastoral counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg,   Virginia, a doctor of ministry degree from Houston Graduate School   of Theology, and a Ph.D. in Biblical studies from Midwestern   Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri; and          WHEREAS, Dr. Preston previously led the congregations of   Goodwill Baptist Church of Greenville and El Bethel Baptist Church   of Waxahachie, prior to assuming the pastorate of Beth Eden Baptist   Church in 2007; during his time as the church's pastor, he has   provided invaluable guidance to his congregation and the wider   community; and          WHEREAS, In addition to meeting the needs of his church,   Pastor Preston has served his denomination as a member of the Oak   Cliff Baptist Ministers Union, the Southern Baptist Convention, and   the National Missionary Baptist Convention; he also holds   membership in the NAACP and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and he   previously served as an assistant professor of religion at Jarvis   Christian University and as a trustee for Criswell College; he is   the author of two books, The Priesthood of All Believers: Uplifting   All Members and How to Make it Last Forever: Marriage from a   Christian Perspective ; and          WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Pastor Preston enjoys the love   and support of his wife, Charles Etta Dorsey Preston; the couple are   the parents of two children, Xavier and Charisma, and are further   blessed with a granddaughter, Imani; and          WHEREAS, Pastor Clarence O. Preston has inspired and uplifted   countless people throughout his exemplary career in the ministry,   and it is indeed a pleasure to join in recognizing this esteemed   clergyman for his notable achievements; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Clarence O. Preston on his 40th   pastoral anniversary 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 Dr. Preston as an expression of high regard by the   Texas House of Representatives.     Y. Davis of Dallas     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 293 was adopted by the House on April   17, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 133, Nays 7, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House