HR0869 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0869 LRB097 20806 GRL 67460 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Herbert L. Johnson, Jr. on the occasion of his 5 years of dedicated service as Pastor of Liberty Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Herbert Johnson, Jr. earned his associate's degree in business administration and his bachelor degree with a concentration in management from Robert Morris College; he subsequently earned his Masters of Divinity degree from the McCormick Theological Seminary of the Associated Theological Schools; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Herbert Johnson, Jr. is the proud pastor of Liberty Baptist Church; following his motto, "A Church for the Community", he has created the ministry priorities of Worship God, Empowering People and Serving the Community; he has promoted the belief that "equipping" is one of the primary ways to help people develop their spiritual gift and encourage their involvement in ministry and social justice and, in turn, mobilize these same people to "equip" others; he also believes that academic preparation will assist others to expand and fulfill their spiritual call and vision; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Herbert L. Johnson, Jr. serves as CEO and President of Freedom West Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that gives back-to-school supplies to over 1,200 youth; under his leadership, Liberty Baptist Church has also served 1,000 people with toys, food baskets, and community outreach picnics; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Herbert Johnson, Jr. is a member of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, the Southern Baptist Convention, the Illinois Baptist Association, and the Rockford and Vicinity District Association; he is a board member of the North Central Baptist Association; he also serves his community through numerous leadership positions, including the Input Committee of the District 205 Rockford Public Schools, Vice Chairman of the Rockford Mass Transit District, and President of the Rockford Minister's Fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Herbert Johnson, Jr. will celebrate his 5th anniversary as Pastor of Liberty Baptist Church with a celebration in his honor on March 18, 2012; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Herbert L. Johnson, Jr. on the occasion of his 5 years of dedicated service as Pastor of Liberty Baptist Church and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Pastor Herbert Johnson, Jr. as a symbol of our esteem and respect.