HR0535 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0535 LRB097 13617 GRL 58153 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Elder Edwin Lee Harris and the congregation of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church of Harvey on the occasion of Elder Harris' installation as Pastor of St. Mark; and

WHEREAS, St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church began as a bible study group in the home of Deacon Kiser and Sister Mary Wright; on April 15, 1959, under the leadership of Rev. James P. Neal and 5 other members, the bible study group organized and became St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church; in August of 1968, they purchased a small frame house at 14618 Lincoln Avenue, in Harvey, where service was held until 1986; since then, a multi-building complex was built to accommodate a remarkable growth in membership; St. Mark's has approximately 30 ministries designed to meet the needs of over 3,000 members and the community at large; and

WHEREAS, Elder Edwin Harris received Jesus as his Lord and Savior in October of 1992; he has been a member of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church for the past 18 years; he accepted his calling into the ministry and was licensed to preach on November 14, 1997, and appointed as an Elder in January of 2003; he was subsequently elevated to the office of Executive Pastor in August of 2005; after serving under the direction of the late Bishop William Jordan, Elder Harris was ordained on July 30, 2006; and

WHEREAS, In his role as Executive Director of Ministries, Elder Edwin Harris works closely with the leaders of the 30 ministries of St. Mark and serves as a source of direction, guidance, and leadership; in his previous role of Executive Pastor, he served and worked closely with the St. Mark leadership in assuring the realization of the church's vision; in working closely with the late Bishop Jordan, Presiding Prelate of the St. Mark Covenant Churches Fellowship (SMCCF), Elder Harris took on the responsibility of Annual Convocation Coordinator for the SMCCF as well as working closely with the Adjutants of the local church and with the Fellowship; after the passing of Bishop William Jordan, he was selected to be St. Mark's pastor on August 27, 2011; he will be the sixth pastor of St. Mark's since its founding in 1959; and

WHEREAS, Elder Edwin Harris and his loving wife, Beverly Harris, have three children, Jeremy, Kaylin, and Nadia; and

WHEREAS, Elder Edwin Harris will be installed as Pastor of St. Mark over several days of celebration beginning on October 13, 2011; the celebration will culminate with his installation on October 16, 2011 at 4:00 P.M.; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Elder Edwin Lee Harris and the congregation of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church on the occasion of Elder Harris' installation as Pastor of St. Mark and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Elder Edwin Lee Harris and the congregation of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church as a symbol of our esteem and respect.