LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood
upon the occasion of celebrating his 15th Anniversary as Pastor Emeritus
of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church

WHEREAS, The spiritual guidance and nurturing of the citizens of the
State of New York is of great importance to the vitality and well-being
of our communities; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those men and women of religious commitment
who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render the wisdom
of human understanding; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Reverend Dr.
Johnny Ray Youngblood upon the occasion of celebrating his 15th Anniver-
sary as Pastor Emeritus of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church; this auspicious
occasion was celebrated on May 31, 2014, in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood is widely recognized
for his outstanding work fostering the growth of congregations and the
inception of community programs; and
WHEREAS, Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Johnny Ray Youngblood was
only 12 years old when, at an area conference, the United Metropolitan
Spiritual Churches of Christ awarded him a preaching license; he earned
his B.A. degree in 1970 from Dillard University, and later received his
Master of Divinity degree from Colgate-Rochester Theological Seminary in
1973; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, he went on to earn his Doctorate of Ministry from
United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and received his Honorary
Master of Divinity degree from Boston University in 1993; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood retired as Senior
Pastor of the St. Paul Community Baptist Church in June of 2009, after
35 years of service; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, he was called to serve in the same capacity at Mount
Pisgah Baptist Church in Bedford Stuyvesant, a role he was honored to
take on in memory of one of his mentors, the late Reverend George H.
Murray; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood is one of the leading
theologians of his time; his commitment to the call for spiritual heal-
ing, racial parity, social justice, and economic equity for all people
has garnered him national recognition as a prophet, national leader,
public advocate, motivator, writer, and teacher; and
WHEREAS, Recognized on the national level as a result of his work with
East Brooklyn Congregations, an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foun-
dation, Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood spearheaded the Nehemiah
Housing Project which has constructed approximately 2,900 owner-occupied
single family homes in several devastated Brooklyn communities; he also
serves as a national spokesman for the group; and
WHEREAS, The subject of the 1993 book entitled, UPON THIS ROCK: THE
MIRACLES OF A BLACK CHURCH, Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood is also
featured in several articles in prominent magazines, including COMMON
QUEST, THE NEW YORKER, MIRABELLA, DETAILS, EMERGE, and ESSENCE; he has
also been the subject of news journal programs on ABC's "20/20," the NBC
"Nightly News," CBS "Sunday Morning News," Fox 5's "McCreary Live
Report," and the "Charlie Rose Show"; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood was called by
the Board of Mt. Pisgah Church in Brooklyn to assist in the stabiliza-
tion and recovery of the Church, which included restoring the Mt. Pisgah
Christian Academy, since renamed the George Henry Murray Academy; he was
voted Senior Pastor of the Church on May 26, 2002; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood is the father of three
sons, Joel Ray, Jason Royce, and Johnny Jernell; he is the loving grand-
father of six grandchildren, Donna Lynn, Joshua, Jalen, Jordyn, and
Jasmine, and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood upon the occasion of cele-
brating his 15th Anniversary as Pastor Emeritus of Mt. Pisgah Baptist
Church; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Mount Pisgah Baptist
Church, Brooklyn, New York.