TO HONOR PASTOR EDDIE GAMBLE, JR., OF EBENEZER MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN ANDREWS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF GOSPEL MINISTRY AT EBENEZER 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 Senate honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to succor the souls of men; and

Whereas, Pastor Eddie Gamble, Jr., of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Andrews stands among their number as an outstanding minister of the Gospel, one much admired by colleagues, congregation, and area residents at large; and

Whereas, born in Salters on February 24, 1954, Pastor Eddie Gamble, Jr., is a 1971 graduate of Kingstree Senior High School. He received his calling into the ministry in September 1976, and on October 16, 1977, the Williamsburg Educational Missionary Baptist Association ordained him as a minister of the Gospel. During his years of ministry, he has served as a field missionary for the Williamsburg Educational Missionary Baptist Association and as assistant pastor of Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Santee. He also has served as pastor of the St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church of New Zion for six years; and

Whereas, presently, Reverend Gamble is the esteemed pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church of Andrews, where he has ministered for almost three decades, as well as of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Georgetown, where he has served for nearly thirty-six years. A leader in his denomination, he is vice moderator of the Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Association; and

Whereas, Eddie Gamble considers it one of the greatest triumphs of his life that he was able to persuade the lovely Martha Gamble to become his wife. Wed on July 29, 1971, they are the proud parents of five children, Debra, Teresa, Eddie IV, Ricky (now deceased), and Justin, who have given their parents the joy of four grandchildren and a set of twin great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, the Senate, cognizant of his many years of spiritual nourishment of the people of South Carolina, wishes to express its grateful thanks to Reverend Gamble and wish him God's best as he continues to run the race the Lord has set before him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor Pastor Eddie Gamble, Jr., of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Andrews on the occasion of his thirtieth anniversary of Gospel ministry at Ebenezer 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 presented to Pastor Eddie Gamble.