HR1327

LRB094 20572 LCT 58884 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are honored to recognize the milestones in the 
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lives of the citizens of the State of Illinois; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Pastor Ferlander N. Lewis will celebrate his 20th 
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year as the pastor of the New Mount Olive Baptist Church in 
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Harvey; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Ferlander N. Lewis was born the fifth child of 
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Rev. James and Rose Lewis; raised in the church all of his 
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life, he confessed hope in Christ in 1969; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He began playing the piano at age eight and, 
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shortly thereafter, began playing for the church where his 
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father was the pastor; as an accomplished musician and singer, 
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he has played for many choirs and recording artists and has 
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appeared on several recording projects; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Pastor Lewis is a graduate of Beloit College; he 
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began preaching in 1979; after being licensed and ordained, he 
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served as an Associate Minister for seven years at the True 
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Vine Baptist Church of Dixmoor; in February 1986, he was called 
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to pastor the New Mount Olive Baptist Church of Harvey; as 
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pastor of the church, Pastor Lewis has witnessed New Mount 
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Olive grow in every area that reflects the Kingdom of God, 
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moving from less than 100 members to over 2,500 members; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He is the CEO of the Christian Help Center, an 
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organization that offers youth, senior, and vocational 
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programming and services; he serves on the Board of Directors 
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at the prestigious Glenwood School; and he is the chaplain for 
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the City of Harvey; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Pastor Lewis is listed in the Library of Congress 
 


 






HR1327
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LRB094 20572 LCT 58884 r




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for his outstanding achievements as a pastor and for his 
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community involvement; he is a noted and well sought after 
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speaker, having preached at the National Baptist Convention, 
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Inc., Progressive National Baptist Convention, NAACP 
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Convention, PUSH, and a host of churches, universities, and 
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civic organizations across the country; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Pastor Lewis is married to Janice and together 
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they have four children, DiVina, Jeffrey, Jade, and Julian; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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we congratulate Pastor Ferlander N. Lewis on his 20th 
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anniversary with the New Mount Olive Baptist Church, commend 
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him for his contributions to his community, and wish him well 
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in his future endeavors; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Pastor Ferlander N. Lewis.