HONORING CHRISTIAN LOVE BAPTIST CHURCH

On 2026-10-06, Representative Cleo Fields (D-LA-6) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING CHRISTIAN LOVE BAPTIST CHURCH" in the House.

HONORING CHRISTIAN LOVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 158 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 158 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1031-E1032] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING CHRISTIAN LOVE BAPTIST CHURCH ______ HON. CLEO FIELDS of louisiana in the house of representatives Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Christian Love Baptist Church of Alexandria, Louisiana, an enduring institution of faith, service, and community fellowship whose roots run deep in Rapides Parish. Established in 1954 under the leadership of the late Rev. Bert Collins, Christian Love began as a small but devoted congregation committed to sharing the Gospel and fostering Christian unity. At the same time, nearby Gethsemane Baptist Church, organized and pastored by the late Rev. Charlie Jackson, was growing in its own ministry outreach. Both churches served as spiritual anchors for African American families in Alexandria during a period of significant cultural change and community development. In 1963, these two congregations, Christian Love Baptist Church and Gethsemane Baptist Church, joined together in a historic merger that united their memberships, ministries, and visions for the future. It is not easy for two churches, each with its own history, pastor, and traditions, to become one, and the willingness of both congregations to do so reflects a deep commitment to unity and to the larger mission of serving the people of Alexandria. The merger created a single congregation with expanded capacity for worship, fellowship, and service, and it laid a powerful foundation for decades of spiritual growth, community involvement, and renewed commitment to uplifting the people of Alexandria. The church entered a new chapter of organizational stability on January 4, 1982, when it was formally incorporated as Christian Love Baptist Church of Alexandria, Inc., a nonprofit religious corporation under Louisiana law, recognized as a tax-exempt organization. Local members often describe Christian Love as a welcoming haven, a place defined by compassion, encouragement, and unwavering faith. Its ministries emphasize Christian love in action, offering programs that support spiritual development, family life, and communal support. For generations, Christian Love Baptist Church has upheld its reputation as a center of love, faith, and service within the Alexandria community. It has been a place where families have come together to worship, where believers have been encouraged to grow in their faith, and where neighbors have found compassion and support in times of need. This long history of service is central to the church's identity: it is a congregation that has understood from its earliest days that the Gospel is lived out not only on Sunday morning, but in the care that its members show for one another and for the community around them. The impact of Christian Love extends well beyond its own membership. As a congregation formed from two historic churches, it carries forward the legacies of its founding pastors and stands as a model of unity within the faith community of Alexandria, showing what can be accomplished when believers set aside differences and work toward a common purpose. Its example strengthens the broader faith community, standing alongside other churches in the shared work of nurturing faith, supporting families, and serving those in need. Today, Christian Love Baptist Church stands not only as a testament to its rich history but also as a vibrant, forward-looking congregation dedicated to worship, discipleship, and outreach, to transforming lives, strengthening families, and shining the light of Christ throughout Central Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the legacy built by Christian Love Baptist Church and its dedicated congregation, and I wish the church continued strength and blessing in the years to come. [[Page E1032]] ____________________