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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Reverend Rob and Sister Jesse Ellis are
3 celebrating their 37th anniversary as founding Pastor and First
4 Lady of Starlight Missionary Baptist Church in Rockford; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Rev. Ellis was born July 2, 1925, in Raymond,
6 Mississippi, to Fletcher and Agnes Ellis; he came to Rockford
7 in 1952; Sis. Ellis was born April 3, 1932, in Vance,
8 Mississippi; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Rev. Ellis attended school in Raymond,
10 Mississippi, and served in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman 1st Class
11 in World War II; he earned several certificates and
12 recognitions from the Baptist District Association, Faith
13 Bible Correspondence, The Voices of Prophecy, The Bright
14 Horizon Radio Broadcast, and the Rockford Ministers
15 Fellowship; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Sis. Ellis was a member of the Liberty Baptist
17 Church until 1957; she later joined with Greater New Hope
18 Baptist Church; Pastor Ellis joined Greater New Hope in 1959
19 under the leadership of Pastor A.G. White; while a member of
20 Greater New Hope, Pastor Ellis served as a Deacon, Trustee,
21 Chairman of the Deacon Board, and then as Minister; he preached
22 his first sermon on May 4, 1964, becoming one of the many proud
23 sons of Greater New Hope; and
 
24     WHEREAS, Pastor Ellis organized Starlight Missionary
25 Baptist Church in August of 1968; while bringing up their
26 family of five sons and four daughters, Pastor and Sis. Ellis
27 were also developing the strong roots of the church; they have
28 also been blessed with 37 grandchildren, 20
29 great-grandchildren, and several Godchildren; they are also
30 the spiritual parents of numerous Rockford residents; and
 

 

 

HR0567 - 2 - LRB094 12823 CSA 47668 r

1     WHEREAS, During the past 37 years, they have endured many
2 trials and tribulations as well as many blessings; of the seven
3 charter members of Starlight, only one has passed away and two
4 are still active members; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Pastor and Sis. Ellis have also been blessed with
6 the rarity of having five generations as active members of
7 Starlight and one of the many sons in the ministry being their
8 grandson, Minister Isaac Ellis; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Pastor Ellis continues his missionary works and
10 takes his place in the pulpit each Sunday; therefore, be it
 
11     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13 we congratulate Pastor Rob and Sister Jessie Ellis on the
14 occasion of their 37th anniversary as founding Pastor and First
15 Lady of Starlight Missionary Baptist Church in Rockford; and be
16 it further
 
17     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18 presented to Pastor and Sister Ellis as an expression of our
19 admiration and esteem and our best wishes for their continued
20 inspirational service to the community.