[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 56 (Thursday, May 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E794-E795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING REV. SPURGEON EUGENE CRAYTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 7, 1998

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Spurgeon 
Eugene Crayton, Pastor, Mount Ollie Baptist Church. Rev. Crayton has 
dedicated his life to the church and the community of Brooklyn, New 
York.
  The 65-year-old Brownsville pastor is one of the busiest in the city. 
He conducts as many as fifteen revivals a year, preaching in a style 
that he describes as a combination of old fashioned flare mixed with 
contemporary versions of biblical stories. As a specialist in teaching 
Baptist doctrine, Rev. Crayton has held a variety of posts in the 
Eastern Baptist Association, representing Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and 
Suffolk counties, and is presently an Area Vice President of the Empire 
State Baptist Convention, which represents some 500 churches from 
Niagara Falls to East Hampton.
  In addition to his pastoral duties, Rev. Crayton has managed to 
author several books, including a collection of short stories about his 
Korean War experiences called ``Screams and Protest'', which is used by 
the public school system. He has also written ``God's Star in the 
East'', a guide to Baptist congregations, and is working on a third 
book entitled, ``The Black Baptist Church of Today''. Aways a man of 
action, Rev. Crayton has even found time to write plays, including 
``Another One Gone'' and ``The Erudite''.
  Through his commitment to work on behalf of the community, this 
dynamic minister has also served as a charter board member of the Half 
Way House Rehabilitation Center for Drug Abuse; as a Protestant 
Chaplain for the Madonna Heights School for Girls, a Catholic School; 
and is an instructor of English at Central Commercial High School in 
New York City.
  Rev. Crayton's own words exemplify his extraordinary sensitivity to 
the needs of God's people: ``We have a lot of dedicated ministers who 
want not only to be good preachers, but will help fight for social 
causes for their parishioners. There is a greater interest now on the 
part of the ministry to understand the religious, political, social, 
and economic problems of our

[[Page E795]]

communities.'' He has truly left an indelible mark for all to follow.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Rev. Spurgeon Eugene Crayton 
for his valuable contributions to the community of Brooklyn.

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