SR0153 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0153 LRB096 12002 KXB 23746 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Pastor Fred Winters devoted his life to preaching the word of God and through the teachings of Jesus Christ promoted a life of grace, salvation, kindness to others, and forgiveness; and

WHEREAS, On the morning of Sunday, March 8, 2009 Pastor Fred was suddenly taken from his family and his congregation in a tragic act of violence; and

WHEREAS, Fred Winters was born December 4, 1963, in Kansas City, Missouri; and

WHEREAS, He graduated from Raytown South High School in 1982; he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwest Baptist University in 1985, received his Master's degree in Systematic Theology and Church History from Wheaton Graduate School in 1986, and a Master's of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1991; he went on to earn a Doctorate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Fred Winters had served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Maryville since 1987; the church began with a congregation of 32 members and today has over 1,200 people in attendance over the course of four weekend services; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Fred and Cindy Lee (Jackson) met in the summer of 1984 and were married September 7, 1987 and were the proud and loving parents of two children: Alysia Grace and Cassidy Hope; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Fred is the former president of the Illinois Baptist State Association and an adjunct professor for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Bailey Winters; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Fred Winters is survived by his wife, Cindy; his daughters, Alysia Grace and Cassidy Hope; his mother, Jacqueline; his brothers, Karl (Ramona), Joe (Mary), Zach (Karen), Andrew, and John; his sister, Anna (Jim) Sublette; and his grandfather, Dr. Harlan Hannon; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, with heavy hearts, the passing of Pastor Fred Winters and offer our sincerest condolences to his family, his congregation, and all who were touched by his life and his mission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Pastor Fred Winters as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.