MS HC113

Commends Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, elected in 2004 as the first woman to lead a mainline denomination in Mississippi, serving as resident bishop over 190,000 United Methodists in 1,147 congregations statewide

Recognizes her leadership of the Mississippi Annual Conference under the "Arise, Shine!" theme, focusing on wellness, evangelism, new church planting, racial reconciliation, and stewardship

Highlights her previous success as pastor of Soapstone United Methodist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, where membership grew from 35 to 600 members over 10 years

Acknowledges her world mission work in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa, as well as mission endeavors throughout Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and the United States

Expresses the Legislature's support for her continued involvement in religious enrichment in the lives of Mississippians