In Recognition of Cecil O. Sewell, Jr.

IN RECOGNITION OF CECIL O. SEWELL, JR. -- (Extensions of Remarks - April 22, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. MIKE ROGERS
OF ALABAMA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2004

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Cecil O. Sewell, Jr., who on April 25, 2004 will celebrate his 50th year in the ministry.

Pastor Sewell was born on August 12, 1936, and was called to the ministry in April of 1954. He continued serving as a minister while he attended college and divinity school. He graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1958, and went on to graduate studies at the University of Alabama. He then attended Divinity School at Houston Baptist University, where he graduated in 1982.

Pastor Sewell has been pastor to six churches. He has gone on missions and done evangelism in twelve states and eight foreign countries, including three missions to Romania and six missions to Brazil. He has served on numerous state and national convention committees and as Trustee of the Baptist Health System. One of the most telling things about Cecil Sewell is that he has been an interim pastor for four churches in his most recent years, having retired from the ministry and been called back to service on these four occasions. He is now interim pastor of First Baptist Church in Saks, Alabama.

I am so very proud to salute Cecil O. Sewell, Jr., for his 50 years of ministry, and appreciate the House's attention today in observance of his ministry.

END