TO CONGRATULATE THE REVEREND TERRY C. WILDER AT THE CELEBRATION OF HIS TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF CONTINUOUS AND FAITHFUL SERVICE TO SWANSEA FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Swansea First Baptist Church will honor the Reverend Terry C. Wilder, senior minister, at the celebration of his twenty-fifth pastoral anniversary on Sunday, June 7, 2015; and

Whereas, to ready himself for full-time Christian service, Terry Wilder earned a master's degree in divinity and religious education at Wake Forest University in North Carolina; and

Whereas, after spending his early ministerial years serving as a youth minister and minister of education, Reverend Wilder accepted the call to become senior pastor of Swansea First Baptist Church, and since 1990 he has pastored his congregation to the glory of God in Christ; and

Whereas, Pastor Wilder sets an example for his flock by serving the Lord with his whole heart. In addition to leading the church through significant improvements to its physical plant, he has completed many mission trips within both Africa and the United States. He is founder of the church's disaster-relief program, preschool, and basketball ministry; and

Whereas, because he has always believed strongly in personal involvement with his community, Terry Wilder serves his neighbors and the broader community in numerous capacities. A member of the Swansea Ministerial Association, he has volunteered as a chaplain at Lexington Medical Center for many years, one of those years as president of the Lexington Medical Center Chaplains; and

Whereas, he was also director of the Lexington County Recreation Basketball League, treasurer of the Lexington County Recreation Board of Directors for baseball, president of the Swansea High School Booster Club, and a member of the committee that interviewed candidates for Swansea High School's new football coach. He serves on the Jumper Fire Station Board of Directors and became its president in April 2015. In that same month, he also became a Calhoun County Fire Commissioner; and

Whereas, on June 13, 2010, Terry Wilder was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, this state's highest civilian award, for his unwavering devotion to serving the citizens of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives, grateful for the life testimony of consistent commitment and excellence Pastor Wilder has bestowed on the people of South Carolina, takes great pleasure in wishing him well as he continues to serve the Lord in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate the Reverend Terry C. Wilder at the celebration of his twenty-five years of continuous and faithful service to Swansea First Baptist Church.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Reverend Terry C. Wilder.