The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING REVEREND DR. JOHN E. ROBERTS
______
HON. MARCY KAPTUR
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the Reverend Dr. John Roberts, Pastor of Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church in Toledo, for his 56 years of service in Jesus Christ. Our community joined his congregation in celebration of this heralded event on June 6, 2021.
I chronicled Pastor Roberts' life in an Extension of Remarks in April 2005 upon the very special occasion of his fortieth anniversary. This 56th year, Pastor Roberts will be elevated to the honorable status of Pastor Emeritus.
Born in Bryant, Mississippi in 1927 to George and Melvina Roberts, John E. Roberts came to Toledo, Ohio in 1944. A founding member of Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, he has been part of the church since it was organized in 1946. As noted in his biography, ``He has served and walked in the footsteps of most positions in the church, from custodian to Pastor'' and was called to pastor the church on the 3rd Sunday of January l965. Even while Pastor, he pursued his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Religious Education degrees in 1975, his Master of Theology in 1984, and his Doctorate in Biblical Theology in 1985.
His biography highlights his many roles in his capacity as pastor: teacher, preacher, counsellor, and builder. The biography notes he is
``Christ-like in devotion: strong in faith and mighty in prayer. His life, with its results, is a never-failing inspiration and challenges people of all ages and races, creating strong men around him.''
Though Pastor Roberts has been the guiding light of his congregation and family for decades, standing beside him always has been his wife, First Lady Mother Bernice Roberts. Pastor and First Lady Mother Roberts are partners in all ways and ``jointly through the Grace of God they have mastered certain techniques that involve the ability to compromise, understand, cooperate, give and take, adjusting for better, not worse, knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord.'' Pastor and Mother Roberts were blessed to celebrate their 71st anniversary this year, on April 6. Together their family includes children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Pastor Roberts' service to the membership of Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church blazed a path of leadership as he grew the church over many decades. His congregation blossomed from dozens to thousands as he shared the Word of the Lord, his devotion and wisdom, and his unique gifts.
In addition to his leadership in the church, Pastor Roberts' imprimatur in our community is writ large. A highly respected community leader, he has served on many Toledo area organizations, lending his expertise and counsel well beyond the doors of his church.
Reverend Dr. John E. Roberts came to retirement at age 93 in March of 2021. He was the oldest serving Baptist pastor in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, and the Nation. As Pastor Emeritus, I am certain he will continue Christ's Message of Love and follow Psalms 78:72, ``So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart. And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.''
We are grateful for Pastor Roberts' unique and precious gifts including an irrepressible, wry sense of humor, brilliant smile, twinkling eyes, and a master of biblical text. A man of the Word, he kept his word. His life inspired others from all walks of life to follow his steady lead. The Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church building he led his congregation to construct, and then expand several times, serves as a foundation stone for the revitalization of the near west neighborhood that hugs Toledo's downtown.
When Pastor Roberts set a course, he always arrived at the destination.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 99
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