2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25104674D

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 397

Offered February 17, 2025

Commending the Reverend Dr. Darrell K. White.

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Patrons—Surovell; Delegates: Krizek and McQuinn

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WHEREAS, as the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church for more than 25 years, the Reverend Dr. Darrell K. White has provided inspirational spiritual leadership to the residents of Gum Springs in Alexandria and established outreach programs that have touched lives throughout the community; and

WHEREAS, a native of Louisiana, Darrell White represents the fourth generation of his family to serve as a Baptist minister and had already gained a decade of experience in preaching when he was unanimously elected as senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in 1999; and

WHEREAS, Darrell White has helped Bethlehem Baptist Church grow in both faith and number, overseeing the expansion of music and audio-video ministries, the establishment of a mission program, the growth of Bible study classes, and the ordination of the congregation's first female deacon; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as senior pastor, Darrell White paid tribute to Bethlehem Baptist Church's longstanding role as a pillar of the Gum Spring community, one of the oldest Black neighborhoods in the nation, through his commitment to ministry both in and out of the sanctuary; and

WHEREAS, under Darrell White's leadership, Bethlehem Baptist Church has been a beacon of hope and compassion through generous outreach, including a food bank that serves more than 50 individuals and families each week; and

WHEREAS, Darrell White is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Fairfax and holds degrees from Grambling State University, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, what is now the Union Presbyterian Seminary, and the Howard University School of Divinity; and

WHEREAS, Darrell White has also provided his wise insights to the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, the Northern Virginia Baptist Association, the Fairfax County Clergy and Leadership Council, the NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and many other organizations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Reverend Dr. Darrell K. White on the occasion of his retirement as senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Dr. Darrell K. White as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his legacy of service to the residents of Alexandria as a faith leader and a champion for the community.