The North Kingsport Church of God used the occasion of the celebration of its 77th year of continual ministry in the Kingsport area by honoring Church of God General Overseer Dr. Dennis McGuire.
McGuire was recognized by the Honorable Mayor Dennis Phillips of Kingsport. The ceremony took place on Sunday, August 5, and included a proclamation announcing August 5th, 2007 as Dr. G. Dennis McGuire Day.
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General Overseer McGuire (at podium) and Pastor M. LeBron Palmer. |
McGuire is a native of the Kingsport area is the grandson of C.H. King, the founding pastor. The general overseer was the guest speaker where six of the living pastors were also honored: Clyde Caraway, Thomas Culp, James Gipson, A.J. Crawford, James W. Norris and Fred Cook, as well as Clyde Ogle, Herbert Stone and founding pastor C.H. King. Representatives from two of the founding families were also honored.
“The concept of having a special day to honor our rich heritage began a year ago in a conversation with Zelda Barnette a sixty-five year member of our church,” stated M. LeBron Palmer, current pastor of the Kingsport Church. “Zelda spent many hours assisting me, serving as committee chairperson and made the day a resounding success for those who attended.” Pastor Palmer believes, “we need to remember and honor our past in order to have a correct appreciation for where we are today as well as press toward our future.” The theme for the day was “Drawing from our past as we press toward our future”.
According to Palmer, the idea of having special recognition for General Overseer McGuire stemmed from a desire to have Kingsport officially recognize the many positive contributions that one of their own has brought to his denomination as well as the Kingsport area. “Dr. McGuire has never forgotten his hometown nor his Pentecostal roots planted by his grandparents and parents,” Palmer stated. “We are proud of Dr. McGuire and his accomplishments and his humble beginnings in this area.”
The Mayor’s proclamation reads as follows:
WHEREAS, the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, deems it a great honor and privilege to join the members and friends of the North Kingsport Church of God to celebrate the highly successful ministry of Kingsport native, Doctor G. Dennis McGuire; and
WHEREAS, Dr. McGuire has diligently and faithfully answered God’s call by serving as pastor, state overseer, International Executive Committee member and International General Overseer of the Church of God; and
WHEREAS, Dr. McGuire always brings peace, comfort and salvation all tempered with a divine sense of urgency and justice to all on a daily basis; and
WHEREAS, Dr. McGuire, through his life’s work brings honor, distinction and pride to his hometown; and
WHEREAS, I, as Mayor of the City of Kingsport, do deem it appropriate to honor Dr. G. Dennis McGuire for his many talents and abundant spiritual guidance, and wish to uphold and commend the important part played by Dr. McGuire in the spiritual well being of people the world over; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dennis R. Phillips, Mayor of the City of Kingsport and on behalf of the Board of Mayor and Alderman of the City of Kingsport do hereby proclaim Sunday, August 5, 2007 as
Dr. G. Dennis McGuire Day
In Kingsport and do call upon my fellow citizens to join me in celebrating the many successes and ministries of this true man of God and thank him for the spiritual strengthening of our community, nation and world.