Longtime Eldorado pastor marks 60 years of ministry

The Rev. L.D. Jolly, pastor of Gospel Assembly Church in Eldorado, will celebrate his 60th year in the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Sunday, June 27.

The church will host a special service and dinner on that day in his honor.

Rev. Jolly was 22 when he began his ministry in Greenville, Mississippi. Since then, he has served 11 churches in six states, and was pastor of 10 of those churches.

He has been pastor of the Eldorado Gospel Assembly Church for a total of 36 years, from 1973 to 1982 and from 1995 to the present time. He considers these years to be a very special part of his ministry.

Rev. Jolly and his wife, Gail, deeply appreciate all who have been a part of his ministry through the years, with special regard to the members of the church in Eldorado for their loyal support.

On Eldorado Gospel Assembly's website, the Rev. Jolly offers a detailed biography of a fascinating life to date. It ends with this:

"These 59 years have been a great learning and growing experience. My heart has been bonded with the hearts of those under my care through the years. We have worked and worshipped together; we have laughed and cried together. We have grown old(er) together, and we have matured in the Lord together.

"It is a joy to have so many friends from former pastorates and to know that we are all still involved in the great work of the Lord. I am honored to be pastoring the Gospel Assembly Church in Eldorado for the second time. The people here have a very special place in my heart.

"By the grace of God, I will continue ministering the Gospel of His Son Jesus Christ until I hear Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."