HR0523 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Grace Church of Mahomet celebrated its 50th anniversary in October of 2004; beginning with just a handful of people and one pastor in the mid-1950s, the church has blossomed over the years into a church of over 900 regular attendees, two services, contemporary worship, relevant and practical teaching, seven full-time ministry staff, multi-faceted children's, student, adult, and worship arts ministries, and a clear vision of what God has challenged the leaders and people to do; and

WHEREAS, Formerly known as Grace Baptist Church, the congregation was founded in 1954 as the Grace Bible Church; the new church met at the McKnelley home south of Mahomet on August 29th of that year and soon became affiliated with the Conservative Baptist Association and the name was changed to Grace Baptist; the church's first pastor, Reverend Warren Slaughter, went on to start Grace Baptist Church in Normal after leaving Mahomet; sadly, he passed away in 1963 of cancer just a few years after being an integral part of the formation of two wonderfully strong churches in central Illinois; and

WHEREAS, After settling on property on Washington Street (presently the location of Sangamon Valley Christian Center) in March of 1955, the congregation acquired property at 800 West Oak Street; a gymnasium/activities center was constructed and completed in May of 1981 while the congregation continued to meet at the Washington Street church; in 1986, the Washington Street property was sold and the church moved its services into the gymnasium at its present location; the current Worship Center was completed in 1992, and a west wing was completed in early 1999; a new children's/student wing opened in June of 2004, along with a new daughter church, Crossroads, officially opening in September of 2004 in Monticello; and

WHEREAS, On July 13, 2003, the congregation of Grace Baptist Church voted to officially call themselves Grace Church of Mahomet; throughout the years, the church has had nine senior pastors; they are Rev. Warren Slaughter, Rev. Ronald Ayres, Rev. Richard Rice, Rev. Paul Barnes, Rev. Leroy Shumaker, Rev. Michael Hostetler, Rev. John Vincent, Rev. Dave Jankowski, and the current pastor, Rev. Gary Sinclair; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Grace Church of Mahomet on the celebration of 50 years of service and fellowship in the Mahomet community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Grace Church of Mahomet as an expression of our respect and esteem and with best wishes for many more years of ministry.