Reverend Mezick honored by SC Legislature

July 18, 2012 North Myrtle Beach, SC - During the July 16 North Myrtle Beach City Council Meeting, South Carolina Senator Dick Elliott surprised Dr. James C. “Jim” Mezick with a resolution passed in the Senate and concurred in by the House. The resolution honored Reverend Mezick for his years of devoted service to North Myrtle Beach and the surrounding community.

Reverend Mezick received his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, his master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his doctorate from Drew University.

In 1968, Reverend Mezick assumed the duties of senior pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church in North Myrtle Beach, and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2000.

Since then, Reverend Mezick has served as interim pastor for two area churches, and leads a long-standing Bible study. According to the Senate resolution, Reverend Mezick also “…speaks; counsels; witnesses to the grace of God in Christ; befriends; teaches; encourages; visits all the unseen, unnoticed, and underprivileged…and does so confidentially on a daily basis.”Dr. James Mezick and Senator Dick Elliott and families

The complete resolution reads:

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO HONOR DR. JAMES C. “JIM” MEZICK OF HORRY COUNTY, FORMER PASTOR OF LAKESIDE BAPTIST CHURCH IN NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF GOSPEL MINISTRY AND TO WISH HIM GOD’S RICHEST BLESSINGS AS HE CONTINUES TO SERVE THE LORD.

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina General Assembly honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to nurture the souls of men; and

Whereas, Dr. James C. “Jim” Mezick of Horry County, former pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in North Myrtle Beach, stands among their number as an outstanding minister of the Gospel, one much admired by clerical colleagues, laymen, and the surrounding community alike; and

Whereas, in preparation for his life’s work, Jim Mezick earned his bachelor’s degree at Auburn University in Alabama, after which he completed a master’s degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He earned his doctorate at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey; and

Whereas, in 1968, when Lakeside Baptist Church was twenty years old, Jim Mezick took up his duties there as senior pastor and served his Lakeside flock for thirty two years. Under his leadership and godly influence, the church greatly advanced its building program, increased its staff, grew its ministries, and sent forth numerous young people into full time Christian service. Deservedly beloved by his church and known for pastoring his city as if it were his own congregation, he retired in 2000; and

Whereas, because he believes strongly in active community involvement, Jim Mezick has remained a vital part of North Myrtle Beach life since his retirement, participating in various faith based and other community events. He has served as interim pastor for two area churches and currently leads a longstanding Bible study. In the words of one admirer, Dr. Mezick “speaks; counsels; witnesses to the grace of God in Christ; befriends; teaches; encourages; visits all the unseen, unnoticed, [and] underprivileged…and does so confidentially [on a daily basis].” He is a living example, says another well wisher, of “what God had in mind when He defined ‘faithful friend’ ”; and

Whereas, Jim Mezick considers it one of the greatest triumphs of his life that he was able to persuade the former Genie Patterson to become his wife. They are the proud parents of three children, Jason, Holly, and Patterson, and the delighted grandparents of three; and

Whereas, noted as a humble, courageous man of Christian character, one of whom it truly may be said, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” Dr. Mezick has demonstrated to others how to be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord”; and

Whereas, the General Assembly, cognizant of his many years of spiritual nourishment of the people of South Carolina, expresses its grateful thanks to Dr. Mezick and wishes him God’s best as he continues to run the race the Lord has set before him.

Now, therefore,Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor Dr. James C. “Jim” Mezick of Horry County, former pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in North Myrtle Beach, for his many years of Gospel ministry and wish him God’s richest blessings as he continues to serve the Lord.
 
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Dr. James C. “Jim” Mezick.