LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Refuge
Church of God of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated on November 14,
2009

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
50th Anniversary of the Refuge Church of God of Brooklyn, New York, to
be celebrated at the Villa Barone Manor, Bronx, New York on Saturday,
November 14, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Refuge Church of God first began in the late 1950s, when
a group of members of the Lafayette Avenue Church of God was led to hold
a series of weekly prayer meetings at the home of Sister Clementine
Johnson in Brooklyn, New York; due to the rapid increase and growth of
the group, it was necessary to find a larger facility, therefore, a hall
was leased at 239 Hancock Street, Brooklyn, New York, where Sunday and
Tuesday night meetings were held; and
WHEREAS, During these meetings, it was established the Reverend Lionel
Yearwood would serve as the first pastor; under his capable leadership,
the group continued to grow and prosper, and on October 30th, 1959, the
Refuge Church of God became an incorporated body; and
WHEREAS, By August of 1962, the membership of the Refuge Church of God
had increased to 65, necessitating the acquisition of a larger edifice;
a site was located at 595-97 Quincy Street, Brooklyn, New York; on this
site was a burned out building which formerly housed the Exodus A.M.E.
Church with a huge potbellied stove among the rubble and ashes; it was
from these ashes that the present edifice rose; and
WHEREAS, This was the beginning of a great test of faith for the
members of the Refuge Church of God, as there were numerous contractual
and financial difficulties, however, remaining undaunted they put their
faith to work by performing unselfish deeds; and
WHEREAS, Many members took second jobs, while others mortgaged their
homes and gave their lifesavings in order to pool their resources; in
addition, a mortgage was taken and in 1972, by the help of its members
the Refuge Church of God burned the mortgage, earlier than contracted;
and
WHEREAS, Over its nearly 50 year history the Refuge Church of God has
been served faithfully by four pastors; its founding pastor, Reverend
Lionel Yearwood (1959-1979), Reverend Alfred Sealy (1980-1992), Reverend
Dr. Harold Layne (1993-2006) and its current pastor, Reverend Kevin R.
Osbourne (January 2007-present); and
WHEREAS, Today, the Refuge Church of God remains a vital, vibrant,
worshipping community in the heart of the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of
Brooklyn, New York; its Covering Bishop is Bishop Timothy J. Clarke,
Columbus, Ohio; it has a doctrinal affiliation with Church of God Minis-
tries in Anderson, Indiana and the National Association of the Church of
God in West Middlesex, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, The Refuge Church of God stands on the threshold of tomorrow,
prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining
that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Refuge Church of God of Brook-
lyn, New York, to be observed on November 14, 2009, fully confident that
this commemoration reflects the belief in those values which enhance the
dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Kevin R. Osbourne, Pastor, the Refuge Church of God,
Brooklyn, New York.