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.