IN HONOR OF THE REVEREND RICHARD GAMMAGE
April 2, 2020
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding
spiritual and community leader, the Reverend Richard Gammage, Pastor of
New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. Sadly,
Reverend Gammage passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the age
of 85. A memorial service was held in his honor on Thursday, January
19, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at his church in Macon, Georgia.
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding
spiritual and community leader, the Reverend Richard Gammage, Pastor of
New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. Sadly,
Reverend Gammage passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the age
of 85. A memorial service was held in his honor on Thursday, January
19, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at his church in Macon, Georgia.
Richard Gammage was born in Sylvester, Georgia in 1931. He accepted
Jesus Christ as his Savior at the young age of twelve. He was a member
of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church and served in the various roles of
deacon, Sunday school teacher, choir president and Chairman of the Sick
Committee.
Jesus Christ as his Savior at the young age of twelve. He was a member
of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church and served in the various roles of
deacon, Sunday school teacher, choir president and Chairman of the Sick
Committee.
Always seeking to improve his craft of Christian ministry and
discipleship, he furthered his education at Carver Bible College, the
Morehouse School of Religion, and the Interdenominational Theological
Center. He earned a Master's degree from Brown College of Transoral
Science.
discipleship, he furthered his education at Carver Bible College, the
Morehouse School of Religion, and the Interdenominational Theological
Center. He earned a Master's degree from Brown College of Transoral
Science.
For the past 37 years, Reverend Gammage pastored the New Pleasant
Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Macon. He loved each member of his
congregation, and they loved him back. He believed that in addition to
existing in a building, the church should exist in a community. The
church took pride in serving breakfast on Sunday mornings to many
homeless people and people in need who were able to eat a good meal
immediately after the early service.
Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Macon. He loved each member of his
congregation, and they loved him back. He believed that in addition to
existing in a building, the church should exist in a community. The
church took pride in serving breakfast on Sunday mornings to many
homeless people and people in need who were able to eat a good meal
immediately after the early service.
In Reverend Gammage's many years of service, he ordained more than
one hundred deacons, including seven women to preach. He served as
President of the Evangelical Ministers Alliance for several years and
most recently held the title of President Emeritus. Reverend Gammage
also stood firm as a strong believer in Christian education, providing
Bibles and other instructional materials to every individual who
attended his Bible studies.
one hundred deacons, including seven women to preach. He served as
President of the Evangelical Ministers Alliance for several years and
most recently held the title of President Emeritus. Reverend Gammage
also stood firm as a strong believer in Christian education, providing
Bibles and other instructional materials to every individual who
attended his Bible studies.
Reverend Gammage made a difference both in and out of the pulpit. He
was a renowned and passionate community leader in Macon, Georgia. For
more than three decades, he led the annual Martin Luther King, Jr.
Freedom March in Macon. He also hosted forums at New Pleasant Grove
during nearly every political election for candidates to discuss issues
and their campaigns.
was a renowned and passionate community leader in Macon, Georgia. For
more than three decades, he led the annual Martin Luther King, Jr.
Freedom March in Macon. He also hosted forums at New Pleasant Grove
during nearly every political election for candidates to discuss issues
and their campaigns.
Acts 20:35 says, ``I have shown you in every way, by laboring like
this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the
Lord Jesus, that He said, `It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
'' Truly, Reverend Gammage abided by this scripture, understanding his
calling and purpose to serve God's people and his community.
this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the
Lord Jesus, that He said, `It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
'' Truly, Reverend Gammage abided by this scripture, understanding his
calling and purpose to serve God's people and his community.
Reverend Gammage achieved much in his life, but none of this would
have been possible without the love and support of his wife, Myra
Gammage, and their three children.
have been possible without the love and support of his wife, Myra
Gammage, and their three children.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the
more than 730,000 residents of the Second Congressional District of
Georgia in extending our sincere condolences to Reverend Richard
Gammage's family, friends, and followers during this difficult time. I
pray that we may all be comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy
Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.
more than 730,000 residents of the Second Congressional District of
Georgia in extending our sincere condolences to Reverend Richard
Gammage's family, friends, and followers during this difficult time. I
pray that we may all be comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy
Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.