LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Christ Fellowship Baptist Church upon
the occasion of the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of its new
edifice "Blue Church of Brooklyn" on March 27, 2010

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 commending Christ
Fellowship Baptist Church upon the occasion of the Grand Opening Ribbon
Cutting Service of its new edifice "Blue Church of Brooklyn" on Satur-
day, March 27, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Christ Fellowship Baptist Church began as a prayer meeting
fellowship on December 5, 1981, with the Reverend David L. Kelley II as
its leader; the body voted on December 27, 1981, to officially organize
a church; and
WHEREAS, Its formal organizational service took place on Friday, Janu-
ary 15, 1982, at the Bethany Baptist Church, where the Word was deliv-
ered by Reverend David L. Kelley Sr., and the Service of Covenant was
conducted by Reverend Isaiah Tillman; and
WHEREAS, Christ Fellowship Baptist Church began with 125 charter
members; it held its first official worship service on Sunday, January
17, 1982; during the first church conference, officers were appointed
and a church logo consisting of hands around the cross and its motto, "a
people joined in fellowship through the Cross of Christ" were adopted;
and
WHEREAS, Reverend David L. Kelley II was officially installed as
Pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in April of 1982; and
WHEREAS, Tragedy struck the entire church family in September 1985,
when Hurricane Gloria blew its structure down at 100 Putnam Avenue; it
had been purchased to serve as the church's first home; however, deter-
mined and resolute, the members of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church
preserved and purchased property at 7-9 Sumpter Street in December 1985;
and
WHEREAS, The goal to build a total ministry serving the needs of the
church and community led to the purchase of property adjacent to and
behind the church at 11-13 Sumpter Street; and
WHEREAS, Christ Fellowship Baptist Church has ordained to its gospel
ministry Reverend Yvonne Neal in March 1992, Reverend Anthony Wayne
Brazile in November 1993 and Reverend Shunda Taylor in 2004; it has
licensed Minister Ralph Johnson, Minister Rodney Plummer, Minister
Lucinda Winfree and Minister Katherine Timmons; and
WHEREAS, Christ Fellowship Baptist Church is a part of the Baptist
family from the local to the national levels; its ministries have been
numerous and beneficial to the community in countless ways; and
WHEREAS, Today, Reverend David L. Kelley II continues to serve faith-
fully as the congregation's Pastor; during his esteemed tenure, he has
witnessed a sizeable increase in the church's membership and continues
to foster their spiritual growth; and
WHEREAS, A well-sought lecturer, teacher, preacher, revivalist and
retreat and workshop leader, Reverend David L. Kelley II has preached
both citywide and statewide, as well as nationally and internationally;
in 1995, he was appointed lecturer of the Layman's Division of the
National Congress of Christian Education; and

WHEREAS, Reverend David L. Kelley II has received numerous honors,
awards, citations, scholarships and fellowships; among them is his
designation in "Who's Who Among American Young Men" and the Benjamin E.
Mays Fellowship for Theological Education; and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Reverend David L. Kelley II,
Christ Fellowship Baptist Church 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
commend Christ Fellowship Baptist Church upon the occasion of the Grand
Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of its new edifice "Blue Church of
Brooklyn" on March 27, 2010, 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 Christ Fellowship Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York.