Senate Resolution No. 1544

BY: Senator SEWARD

CONGRATULATING The Reverend Gary W. Bonebrake, D.
Min., upon the occasion of his retirement after 22
years of distinguished service to Main Street
Baptist Church in Oneonta, New York

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life
in this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the
faithful concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their
energies and purpose to the ministry of others; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish
themselves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and
preeminence of service; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate The Reverend Gary W. Bonebrake, D. Min., upon the occasion
of his retirement after 22 years of distinguished service to Main Street
Baptist Church in Oneonta, New York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious milestone will be celebrated at a party
held in his honor on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at The Carriage House
Event Center in Oneonta; in addition, the Main Street Baptist Church
will host a coffee reception honoring Reverend Gary W. Bonebrake and his
wife, Barbara, on Sunday, April 30, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Gary W. Bonebrake was raised in Collinsville,
Illinois; he earned his bachelor's degree in pastoral ministry from the
Moody Bible Institute, and his Master of Divinity degree from Denver
Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Gary W. Bonebrake furthered his education by
obtaining his Master of Arts degree in Humanities with a concentration
in Hebrew Bible from the University of Buffalo, and a Doctor of Ministry
degree (D. Min.) from Covenant Theological Seminary in 2007; and

WHEREAS, During the 1970s, Reverend Gary W. Bonebrake was the pastor
of Wells Bridge Baptist Church in Wells Bridge, New York; from
1978-1987, he served as senior pastor of the Riverside Baptist Church in
Buffalo, New York; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Gary W. Bonebrake and his wife then served as
missionaries in Europe where he was a professor at the German Bible
Institute in Koenigsfeld; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, Reverend Gary W. Bonebrake began his long and
distinguished career at the Main Street Baptist Church; under his
luminous leadership, the church expanded its pastoral staff,
strengthened its educational program, and initiated several projects
including the development of Bluefields Cafe, building improvements,
ministry and program growth; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife; their two children,
Jonathan Bonebrake, and Rachel (Steve) Nicoletti; and their three
granddaughters, Olive, Rosemary, and Glory, all of whom have shown him
love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Gary W. Bonebrake has brought to his ministry an
overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and
professional integrity and dedication to the Word of God; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given
enlightenment, guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and
has administered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and
corporal needs of all; 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
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate The Reverend Gary W. Bonebrake, D. Min., upon the occasion
of his retirement after 22 years of distinguished service to Main Street
Baptist Church in Oneonta, New York, noting his unremitting and
compassionate faith and his exemplary service to God, man, and his
flock, and extending to him the heartfelt best wishes of this
Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and well-being; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Gary W. Bonebrake, D. Min.