LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Vine Wesleyan Church upon the
occasion of celebrating its 10th Anniversary

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 commending the Vine
Wesleyan Church upon the occasion of celebrating its 10th Anniversary;
and
WHEREAS, Established in 1968, the Wesleyan Church began with the merg-
er of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and the Pilgrim Holiness Church; its
first headquarters was located in Houghton, and subsequently, Lockport,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Currently, there are 31 Wesleyan churches across Western New
York State, and today its headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indi-
ana; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, Pastor Harold and June Burdick enacted plans to
start a new church in the Williamsville/Clarence area; four years later,
Pastor Karl and Anita Eastlack led the church into becoming one of the
region's first mega churches; and
WHEREAS, In the process of building a new facility in 2001, Eastern
Hills began to put together a strategic plan to found another church in
Western New York; Lancaster/Depew was selected and chosen for the
location and Pastors Christopher and Tammy Baldwin were selected as its
leaders; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, the Vine Wesleyan Church was established, and began
offering worship services at the William Street School, before moving to
the Court Street Elementary School for six years; and
WHEREAS, In June of 2011, the Vine Wesleyan Church purchased the
former St. Augustine's Church in Depew, New York; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of Pastors Christopher and
Tammy Baldwin, the Vine Wesleyan 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
commend the Vine Wesleyan Church upon the occasion of celebrating its
10th Anniversary, 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 tran-
smitted to Pastors Christopher and Tammy Baldwin, Vine Wesleyan Church.