--- title: HR 935. Shipp, Pastor Christopher M.; Bald Rock Baptist Church; 28th pastoral anniversary; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr935 cite_as: HR 935, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr935 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr935.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr935/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72039 date: 2025-04-02 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr934.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr936.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr935.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 935 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-04-02 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Rhonda Taylor text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR935/2025 upstream_id: 2019414 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - ceremonial resolution - Rockdale County - church history - pastoral recognition --- # HR 935. Shipp, Pastor Christopher M.; Bald Rock Baptist Church; 28th pastoral anniversary; recognize ## Text 25 LC 129 0458 House Resolution 935 By: Representative Taylor of the 92nd A RESOLUTION Recognizing Bald Rock Baptist Church and congratulating Pastor Christopher M. Shipp on1 the occasion of his 28th pastoral anniversary; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Bald Rock Baptist Church was established in approximately 1861, as Rockdale3 County's first African American Congregation; and4 WHEREAS, the plantation where Bald Rock Baptist Church was located served as a place5 for slaves to worship; and6 WHEREAS, the original Bald Rock Baptist Church structure is located on Costley Mill Road7 at the Georgia International Horse Park, and is now a historic site; and 8 WHEREAS, the current Bald Rock Baptist Church building was buil t in 1994, by its9 members and under the guidance of the late Reverend Jack Maults by and the Board of10 Deacons; and11 WHEREAS, Pastor Christopher M. Shipp became Shepherd of Bald Rock Baptist Church12 in February of 1997; and13 H. R. 935 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0458 WHEREAS, his vision and direction have helped Bald Rock Baptist Church grow in size and14 influence, uplifting the community like the light of Bethlehem and serving as a spiritual15 leader and place for fellowship; and16 WHEREAS, whether the task is preparing a sermon, visiting the s ick, counseling the17 troubled, baptizing a new believer, or acting as a theologian, educator, administrator, or18 humanitarian, Pastor Christopher M. Shipp serves as a shining example of God's righteous19 path; and20 WHEREAS, the unmatched spiritual assistance offered by Pastor Christopher M. Shipp is21 a source of strength and direction for persons in all walks of life.22 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that23 the members of this body recognize Bald Rock Baptist Church for its historicall presance in24 Rockdale County, congratulate Pastor Christopher M. Shipp on th e occasion of his 28th25 pastoral anniversary, and extend best wishes for many more years of successful fellowship26 and leadership.27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized28 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Pastor29 Christopher M. Shipp and Bald Rock Baptist Church. 30 H. R. 935 - 2 - ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia House resolution recognizes Bald Rock Baptist Church in Rockdale County and congratulates Pastor Christopher M. Shipp on his 28th pastoral anniversary. ### Plain-language summary This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors Bald Rock Baptist Church, described as Rockdale County's first African American congregation, established around 1861. The resolution recounts the church's history, including its original site on Costley Mill Road, now part of the Georgia International Horse Park, and the construction of its current building in 1994. The resolution formally congratulates Pastor Christopher M. Shipp, who became the church's pastor in February 1997, on his 28th anniversary of leading the congregation. It directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to Pastor Shipp and the church. The resolution does not change any Georgia law; it is a ceremonial statement of recognition. ### What it does - Formally recognizes Bald Rock Baptist Church for its historical presence in Rockdale County. - Congratulates Pastor Christopher M. Shipp on his 28th anniversary as pastor of the church. - Extends the House's best wishes for continued fellowship and leadership at the church. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for Pastor Shipp and the church. ### Who it affects This resolution directly names and honors Bald Rock Baptist Church and its pastor, Christopher M. Shipp. It has no regulatory or legal effect on any other individuals, businesses, or government agencies in Georgia. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or financial consequences; it is a symbolic gesture by the Georgia House of Representatives to publicly honor a church and its pastor's decades of service, providing a formal record of recognition for the congregation's history and leadership. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses recount the church's founding around 1861 as Rockdale County's first African American congregation and its history, including its original site and 1994 building. - The resolving clause formally recognizes the church and congratulates Pastor Shipp on his 28th pastoral anniversary, marking his tenure since February 1997. - A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to Pastor Shipp and the church. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-04-02) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-04-02) - Sponsors: Rhonda Taylor - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72039 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr935.md?full=1