HONORING BRIGHT STAR BAPTIST CHURCH

On 2026-10-13, Representative Cleo Fields (D-LA-6) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING BRIGHT STAR BAPTIST CHURCH" in the House.

HONORING BRIGHT STAR BAPTIST CHURCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 160 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1070-E1071] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING BRIGHT STAR BAPTIST CHURCH ______ HON. CLEO FIELDS of louisiana in the house of representatives Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bright Star Baptist Church of Shreveport, Louisiana, an enduring institution of Christian faith, worship, fellowship, and community service for more than a century. Founded in 1922, the church has remained committed to providing a spiritual home where individuals and families can worship God, strengthen their faith, build meaningful relationships, and serve others, grounded in its mission of loving God, loving one another, and loving those who are lost. Since its establishment, Bright Star has been built on a strong foundation of faith and Christian service. Through worship, prayer, biblical teaching, fellowship, outreach, and service, the congregation has provided spiritual guidance and encouragement while responding to the needs of individuals and families throughout the surrounding community. For more than 100 years, generations of families have entered its doors to worship, pray, learn, celebrate, grieve, and find encouragement, and through periods of social, economic, and cultural change the church has remained a place of stability, fellowship, and spiritual support. Worship has remained at the heart of Bright Star's ministry. Through regular services, prayer, preaching, music, and Christian fellowship, members have grown spiritually and formed a strong sense of community. Bible study and Christian education have likewise equipped members with the spiritual foundation to meet the challenges of everyday life and have prepared future generations to become leaders in the church and community. Prayer has been another foundation of the congregation, giving members strength and encouragement in moments of joy and in times of hardship. The church's ministry has consistently extended beyond its worship services. Bright Star has shown a commitment to outreach and community involvement by seeking opportunities to meet practical needs and assist individuals and families, including community clothing giveaways that provide tangible support to its neighbors. These efforts reflect the church's belief that Christian ministry includes both sharing the message of faith and demonstrating that faith through service, and they continue the tradition of African American churches and other faith institutions in Shreveport that have served as centers of worship while also providing support, leadership, fellowship, education, and assistance. For many families, Bright Star has been much more than a place to attend church services. It has been a spiritual home where relationships are formed, families are strengthened, and generations have celebrated baptisms, marriages, anniversaries, and accomplishments and gathered for homegoing services. The church's longevity is a testament to the pastors, ministers, deacons, ministry leaders, musicians, teachers, volunteers, families, and faithful members who have given their time, talents, prayers, and resources to sustain its ministry for those who follow. An important chapter in the church's modern history began in 1997, when Pastor Patrick L. [[Page E1071]] Dennis began serving as pastor. His tenure, now spanning multiple decades, has given the congregation continuity in spiritual leadership as it entered a new century of ministry. Under his leadership, Bright Star has continued to emphasize worship, Bible study, prayer, Christian fellowship, outreach, and involvement in the community, building on the work of previous generations while focusing on the spiritual development of its members and the needs of the people it is called to serve. Today, Bright Star Baptist Church remains committed to worship, Bible study, prayer, fellowship, evangelism, outreach, and service, and continues to seek opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families throughout Shreveport. As new generations become part of the congregation, they inherit a legacy of faith, sacrifice, perseverance, and service, and the responsibility of carrying that mission forward through Christian education, the development of future leaders, and continued outreach. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bright Star Baptist Church and its congregation for more than a century of faith and service to the people of Shreveport. Guided by its mission of loving God, loving one another, and loving those who are lost, may Bright Star continue to stand as a beacon of faith, hope, fellowship, and service for generations to come. ____________________