Honor Brooklyn Church Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 28 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY COMMEMORATING the 35th Anniversary of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated on January 13, 2017 WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the 35th Anniversary of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated at a Gala on Friday, January 13, 2017; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, Christ Fellowship Baptist Church has been committed to spreading the word of God and promoting spiritual growth within its community; and WHEREAS, Christ Fellowship Baptist Church held its first official church service at the Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday, January 17, 1982, with Pastor David L. Kelley II delivering a sermon about the "Spiritual Case of Christian Service"; later that year, Pastor Kelley II was officially installed as leader of the Church; and WHEREAS, In January of 1982, a building was purchased on Putnam Avenue in Brooklyn, and became the congregation's first house of worship; through the storm, both literal (Hurricane Gloria) and spiritual, Christ Fellowship Baptist Church has stood the test of time; and WHEREAS, On February 21, 2010, the first worship service was held at the "Blue Church of Brooklyn," where Christ Fellowship Baptist Church continues to acknowledge God's goodness, and glorify God's greatness through prayer, praise, and worship in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community; and WHEREAS, Today, Reverend Doctor David L. Kelley II continues to serve faithfully as the congregation's Pastor; during his esteemed tenure, he has witnessed a sizeable increase in the church's membership and continues to foster their spiritual growth; and WHEREAS, Through the years, the Church has licensed numerous ministers such as the late Ralph L. Johnson, Rodney Plummer, Lucinda Winfree, Monique Kitchings and Matthew L. Davis; and WHEREAS, Christ Fellowship Baptist Church stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church to be observed on January 13, 2017, fully confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Reverend Doctor David L. Kelley, II.