Pete Domenici: “it is my distinct honor to reflect on the accomplishments of our guest Chaplain, Rev. Ernest R. Gibson. Reverend Gibson…”

“it is my distinct honor to reflect on the accomplishments of our guest Chaplain, Rev. Ernest R. Gibson. Reverend Gibson is a product of Howard University where he studied sociology and religion. He has been putting his studies to work in his capacity as the pastor of the First Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church. He began pastoring this church in 1952, and he continues as head of this congregation today. Under his leadership, his church has grown from 65 members to its current attendance of 1,700 active members. The history and development of Gibson's congregation serves as a tribute to his life accomplishments. Four years after Gibson started as pastor of First Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church, in 1956, they bought their first building in Northwest Washington, DC. Later in 1973, they oversaw the construction of the Gibson Plaza which was a 10-story, 217-unit apartment building for low and moderate income families. In 1985, they completed construction of their education building, and recently in 1990, they completed construction of a new church building. Reverend Gibson's congregation serves as a positive force in its surrounding community working proactively to address the needs of those less fortunate. They offer many programs including, a college guarantee offering tuition assistance up to full tuition, an outpatient drug treatment facility, a weekly food distribution which reaches an average of 300 individuals, and a meal program for homeless families.”