Senate Resolution 488
By: Senators Harbin of the 16th, Goodman of the 8th, Dixon of the 45th, Watson of the 11th,
Payne of the 54th and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Mr. Jim Battles upon his retirement; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Mr. Jim Battles has served in vocational ministry for over forty years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Battles received his Bachelors of Science from Auburn University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Battles later received his Master's degree in Religious Education from
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Battles began his full-time service in vocational ministry in education and
youth at Parkview Baptist Church, in Florida, in 1981; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Battles continued working in ministry after moving to Georgia in 1994, to
work as the Associate Pastor for Adults and Youth Education at First Baptist Church in
Fayetteville, before becoming the Youth Minister; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Battles' influence spans decades, mentoring students who later became
youth ministers themselves, including Belinda Jenkins, whose daughter and son-in-law are
now in ministry; and
WHEREAS, despite fighting a battle with leukemia, Mr. Battles remains grateful for the
opportunity to serve long enough to see generational change in his ministry; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Battles had the ability to make every student feel included and valued
serving as a key part of his success; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this
remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize and commend Mr. Jim Battles for his decades of ministry and service, congratulate
him upon his retirement, and extend the most sincere best wishes for continued health and
happiness
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Mr. Jim Battles.