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TO REMEMBER THE LIFE OF THE RIGHT REVEREND FREDERICK JOSEPH "REV. IKE" EIKERENKOETTER II, AND THE MESSAGE HE SO BOLDLY PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
Whereas, born in Ridgeland on June 1, 1935, Frederick Joseph Eikerenkoetter II, became the assistant pastor at his father's church in Ridgeland, the Bible Way Baptist Church, when he was only fourteen years old; and
Whereas, after earning a bachelor's degree in theology from the American Bible College in 1956, Rev. Ike served in the chaplaincy of the United State Air Force for three years; and
Whereas, in 1962, he married the former Eula Dent, and together they reared a fine son, Xavier Eikerenkoetter, who also became a minister at the church his father founded in Ridgeland and led the larger ministry when his father retired; and
Whereas, Rev. Ike earned a master's degree and a doctorate in philosophy from New York University and founded Christ Community Church in New York and the United Church Schools, which included the Science of Living Institute and Seminary, the Business of Living Institute, the Health Education Institute, and Youth Ministries; and
Whereas, as "the first black man in America to preach positive self-image psychology within a church setting," his outstanding accomplishments and achievements captured the attention of the nation and the world; and
Whereas, as well as the work in New York, Rev. Ike also founded the Science of Living Ministries and two other churches, in which he served as pastor, the United Church of Jesus Christ for All People in South Carolina and the United Christian Evangelical Association in Boston; and
Whereas, teaching that the root of all evil was not the biblical love of money but the lack of it, he promoted what he called the "do-it-yourself church" and the philosophy that the only savior is the god that exists within a person; and
Whereas, although the Right Reverend Frederick Joseph "Rev. Ike" Eikerenkoetter II, departed this life in July of 2009, he left a large and devoted following to carry on the work he began. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, remember the life of the Right Reverend Frederick Joseph "Rev. Ike" Eikerenkoetter II, and the message he so boldly proclaimed throughout the world.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the United Church of Jesus Christ For All People in Beaufort.
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