Georgia General Assembly

Congratulating Bishop Matthew Marvin Odum on his affirmation as a Bishop; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Bishop Odum is an annointed vessel of God and as the Senior Pastor of the Temple of Glory Community Church in Savannah, Georgia, for nearly 21 years, he is indeed a blessing to the body of Christ as well as a pioneer and trailblazer for the cause of spiritual empowerment and edification; and

WHEREAS, not only in his hometown, but across the region, state, and nation, his name is synonymous with Kingdom building and development; and Bishop Odum is committed to the teaching and preaching of God's Holy Word with clarity and conviction; and

WHEREAS, he is a native Savannahian and is the son of Mrs. Mary Lou Odum and the late Mr. Willie B. Odum, and he matriculated in the public school system of Chatham County, graduating from Sophronia Tompkins High School in 1975; and

WHEREAS, he furthered his studies by attending Savannah State College (now Savannah State University) where he majored in English literature, later enrolled at the Covington Theological Seminary where he earned a Master's degree, and is presently nearing completion of earning a doctoral degree in ethnic studies; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Odum is a member of United Pentecostal Churches of Christ (UPCC) under the leadership of presiding Prelate Bishop Larry Darnell Trotter and he will serve as the Jurisdictional Bishop of the 15th Diocese, which covers a great portion of the Southeast United States; and

WHEREAS, he was licensed and ordained in 1984 and he was called to pastor two churches on the same day in December of that same year and these two churches, Macedonia Baptist Church of Ellabell, Georgia, and the then Garvin Temple Baptist Church, were the immediate classrooms of pastoral experience for Bishop Odum; and

WHEREAS, he remained with Macedonia, a rural community church, for nine years, preaching twice a month, while at the same time serving Garvin Temple in Savannah as a full-time pastor; and

WHEREAS, during his earlier years of ministry, Bishop Odum preached an average of 30 revivals a year and he has preached all over the country as well as in the Bahamas, carrying the message of encouragement, empowerment, and love; and

WHEREAS, his present civic and community involvements include being a member of the Advisory Board of St Joseph's/Candler African American Health & Information Center and a member of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, his past civic and community involvements include being a columnist for the Savannah Herald, a board member of the Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission, a board member of the Savannah branch of the American Red Cross, and a board member of the Westside Urban Health Center; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Odum has served as Chaplain of the Day on two occasions for the Georgia General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, he is married to the former Sheila Kay Jenks, and they are the proud parents of Tiffanie, Brittanie, and Matthew II; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Odum has devoted a lifetime of service to his church and his community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body congratulate and honor Bishop Matthew Marvin Odum on his affirmation as a Bishop and wish him nothing but success in his new duties.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Bishop Matthew Marvin Odum.