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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate the congregation of New
4Testament Fellowship Church on the occasion of the church's
529th anniversary; and
 
6    WHEREAS, New Testament Fellowship Church was founded by
7Pastor Sam Russell, an Elder at the Churches of God in Christ
8in Carbondale; he shared the gospel with others by teaching
9weekly bible study in his home, which became a launching pad
10for the New Testament Fellowship Church; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Shortly after the passing of his mother, Pastor
12Sam Russell announced to his church that he would be departing
13to start his own church; after securing and renovating a
14building as a place of worship, New Testament Fellowship
15Church's first service was held on September 21, 1986 with the
16message of "Be Faithful"; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Revivals began and were held monthly at New
18Testament Fellowship Church in 1987; through these revivals,
19many souls were saved, many backsliders were reclaimed, and the
20church's membership grew; during this time, the church's Sunday
21School Department also grew greatly; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Pastor Sam Russell, there
2have been many diverse community outreach ministries developed
3at New Testament Fellow Church within the last 20 years, such
4as Pastoral Care, PH Connection, Hurting and Healing,
5Children's Church, Teen Ministry, Food Distribution, Financial &
6 Education Planning, Women's Ministry, Neighborhood Outreach,
7and Prison Ministry; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Pastor Sam Russell and the congregation of New
9Testament Fellowship Church serve as models of hard work,
10integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of
11Illinois; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
13NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
14congratulate the congregation of New Testament Fellowship
15Church on the occasion of the church's 29th anniversary and
16wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be
17it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to New Testament Fellowship Church as a symbol of our
20esteem and respect.