HR0567 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0567 LRB094 12823 CSA 47668 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Reverend Rob and Sister Jesse Ellis are celebrating their 37th anniversary as founding Pastor and First Lady of Starlight Missionary Baptist Church in Rockford; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Ellis was born July 2, 1925, in Raymond, Mississippi, to Fletcher and Agnes Ellis; he came to Rockford in 1952; Sis. Ellis was born April 3, 1932, in Vance, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Ellis attended school in Raymond, Mississippi, and served in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman 1st Class in World War II; he earned several certificates and recognitions from the Baptist District Association, Faith Bible Correspondence, The Voices of Prophecy, The Bright Horizon Radio Broadcast, and the Rockford Ministers Fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Sis. Ellis was a member of the Liberty Baptist Church until 1957; she later joined with Greater New Hope Baptist Church; Pastor Ellis joined Greater New Hope in 1959 under the leadership of Pastor A.G. White; while a member of Greater New Hope, Pastor Ellis served as a Deacon, Trustee, Chairman of the Deacon Board, and then as Minister; he preached his first sermon on May 4, 1964, becoming one of the many proud sons of Greater New Hope; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Ellis organized Starlight Missionary Baptist Church in August of 1968; while bringing up their family of five sons and four daughters, Pastor and Sis. Ellis were also developing the strong roots of the church; they have also been blessed with 37 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and several Godchildren; they are also the spiritual parents of numerous Rockford residents; and

WHEREAS, During the past 37 years, they have endured many trials and tribulations as well as many blessings; of the seven charter members of Starlight, only one has passed away and two are still active members; and

WHEREAS, Pastor and Sis. Ellis have also been blessed with the rarity of having five generations as active members of Starlight and one of the many sons in the ministry being their grandson, Minister Isaac Ellis; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Ellis continues his missionary works and takes his place in the pulpit each Sunday; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Pastor Rob and Sister Jessie Ellis on the occasion of their 37th anniversary as founding Pastor and First Lady of Starlight Missionary Baptist Church in Rockford; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Pastor and Sister Ellis as an expression of our admiration and esteem and our best wishes for their continued inspirational service to the community.