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Congressional Daily Record
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September 3, 2026
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. CLEO FIELDS
of louisiana
in the house of representatives
Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a thriving congregation in my district, Gloryland Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as it marks more than seventy years of worship and community outreach.
homes, Gloryland Baptist Church was born. The Fourth District Association, with the late Dr. E.D. Billoups as moderator, organized the church with eighteen persons in attendance, and the group elected Reverend Edward W. Brown as pastor. The name Gloryland was suggested by Frances Ambeau and adopted by the group.
1958, with a membership of eighty-eight, the church was dedicated. The congregation owes a debt of gratitude to founding members Billie Corbin, Abner Armstrong, Bertel Winder, Louis Ginn, Osborne Johnson, Jake Thomas, Henry Spooner, Nathan Johnson, Willie Lafayette, Jr., and Edward W. Brown for their work and fortitude.
pastored for a short time. On September 10, 1959, Gloryland ordained and installed Reverend John David Lands as pastor. Reverend Lands, affectionately known as “The Shepherd,” provided spiritual leadership for the church, and more than thirty ministers were called to the ministry under his teaching. The congregation experienced rapid growth, and construction of the present sanctuary began on September 21, 1976. In 1980, a north wing was added to increase seating capacity, and the church purchased four acres of land on Michelli Drive, which today houses a pavilion, outdoor kitchen, picnic tables, playground, and basketball court used for church functions and community events.
flock before the church's present pastor: Reverend Shelton Charles Dixon, from August 1992 to January 1996, and Reverend Clyde Lewis, from August 1996 to August 1997. Dr. Rayford Thomas Iglehart, Sr., was installed on October 10, 1999, as pastor of Gloryland Baptist Church, and under his anointing and leadership the vision of the church has become “Covering the World with God's Glory.”
its outreach ministry. Through its nonprofit, the Gloryland Educational Resource Center, and other ministries, the church offers after-school tutoring, a food and clothing giveaway, mission assistance, a prison ministry at the Louisiana Training Institute, feeding at the Bishop Ott Shelter, and a scholarship and education ministry. The Gloryland Baptist Church campus today consists of four locations: the Administrative Offices and Theater of Performing Arts, the four-acre Recreational Park and Picnic Grounds, the Community Outreach Center, and the Glory Center.
leaders in their professions, dedicated to the business of Kingdom Building. Gloryland Baptist Church is based on the New Testament pattern from the book of Acts, where Jesus is Lord and the Holy Spirit is active, and its members continue moving from Glory to Glory.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Gloryland Baptist Church for more than seventy years of faithful service, and in wishing its pastor and congregation many more years of blessing and growth.