2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25106959D

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 785

Offered February 17, 2025

Commending Bishop Samuel L. Carruth.

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Patron—Scott, D.

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WHEREAS, Bishop Samuel L. Carruth, the presiding prelate of the National Pastors Fellowship Assemblies and the founder of Holy Light Church of Deliverance in Portsmouth, has admirably served the community for nearly 60 years; and

WHEREAS, inspired to become a faith leader at a young age, Samuel Carruth traveled throughout the country with his wife and family to conduct revivals for some time while also serving as the assistant pastor of Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Philadelphia, where he and pastor Benjamin Smith established their reputation as pioneers in deliverance ministry; and

WHEREAS, in 1967, Samuel Carruth both cofounded Holy Light Church of Deliverance in Portsmouth alongside his late wife, Mary Carruth, and started his acclaimed A Message for Today radio broadcast, both of which became vital sources of inspiring and uplifting spiritual guidance for the community; and

WHEREAS, Samuel Carruth earned a doctor of divinity degree from what was formerly the Jameson Bible Institute and helped others on their paths to becoming faith leaders by establishing the Holy Light College of Bible; and

WHEREAS, Samuel Carruth has been a generous and supportive mentor to all in need and has helped many to achieve their full potential either as faith leaders or in their respective fields; and

WHEREAS, Samuel Carruth has provided his congregation with abundant opportunities to help others through community outreach programs, such as his Picnic in the Park ministry and other ministry initiatives; and

WHEREAS, Samuel Carruth has supported the Portsmouth community in myriad ways, including by assisting the Portsmouth Police Department and the local juvenile and domestic courts and by serving as vice president of the regional Christian television station WJCB–TV; and

WHEREAS, at the age of 97, Samuel Carruth continues to regularly broadcast his sermons and spiritual teachings, supporting what is one of the largest and longest running Christian radio ministries in Hampton Roads; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his dedication and longevity, Samuel Carruth has been graced with numerous awards, including most recently the 2019 Encore Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2020 Hampton Roads Ecumenical Council of Bishops Episcopal Leadership Award; and

WHEREAS, by providing comfort, guidance, hope, and a sense of purpose to an untold number of individuals and families, Samuel Carruth has made a profound and lasting impact on the Portsmouth community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Bishop Samuel L. Carruth hereby be commended for his extraordinary legacy of service and faith leadership; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Bishop Samuel L. Carruth as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his contributions to Portsmouth and the Commonwealth.