Georgia General Assembly

Recognizing and commending Rev. Alvin Guest and the First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Rev. Alvin Guest has been providing spiritual guidance and loving ministry to the congregation of the First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church for 23 years; and

WHEREAS, the First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church was founded by Rev. Alvin Guest in Savannah on July 12, 1981, led by a planning committee which included Sis. Roxis Guest, Sis. Doretha Jackson (chairperson), Sis. Deloris Campbell, Sis. Eliza Crawford, and Sis. Yvonne Mack; and

WHEREAS, the church originally began with services and Sunday School in the home of Rev. Guest, but quickly outgrew the home and rented the sanctuary at 912 Drayton Street for Sunday morning services and Sunday School; and

WHEREAS, as the church continued to grow, both spiritually and financially, Rev. Guest believed that the church should become chartered, and a chartering service was held on Sunday, August 30, 1981, with Tremont Temple Baptist Church and its dynamic pastor, Rev. George J. Faison; and

WHEREAS, at its chartering service, Rev. Guest was named official pastor, Bro. Benjamin Suggs, Sr., was ordained as a deacon, and church officers were designated; and

WHEREAS, on August 14, 1981, Rev. Guest baptized his first candidate for baptism, his son James Hanson Guest; and

WHEREAS, because every Christian knows that singing is praising God, the church established the Alvin Guest Inspirational Voices on September 24, 1981, with Sis. Doretha Jackson serving as president and director; and
WHEREAS, on Sunday, June 30, 1985, a groundbreaking service was held on the corner of East Bolton and Ash Streets for a new church building, and after completion of the new church building, a joyous ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted on Sunday, September 6, 1987; and

WHEREAS, the church has grown both in membership and in resources through these years, and the mortgage of the church was joyfully paid off as of February 25, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Guest submitted his resignation as pastor of the First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church on April 24, 2005, due to illness, and became pastor-emeritus; and

WHEREAS, the First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church congregation is ever thankful for the inspired leadership of Rev. Alvin Guest, a God-fearing, spirit-filled, determined, and visionary vessel of God.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join in recognizing and commending Rev. Alvin Guest and the First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church on the spiritual strength and leadership they have provided in the Savannah community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Rev. Alvin Guest and the First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church.