LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the House of Refuge International
Ministries, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its 10th Anniversary Cele-
bration

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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the House of Refuge International Ministries, Inc. upon the occasion of
hosting its 10th Anniversary Celebration on April 15-17, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Jeffrey C. Woody, Founder and Pastor of House of
Refuge, began the ministry on April 15, 2001; that Easter Sunday in
2001, the Delano-Hitch Recreation Center was filled with over 100 indi-
viduals; and
WHEREAS, On September 29, 2001, Bishop Woody was installed as Pastor
and Superintendent James Childs along with Bishop James Gaylord, Prelate
of the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Easter New York performed
the ceremony; and
WHEREAS, In July of 2007, Bishop Woody and the House of Refuge joined
the fellowship of Deliverance Temple Restoration Ministries, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the House of Refuge International Minis-
tries, Inc. has been a true beacon of light in the greater Newburgh
area; and
WHEREAS, Active in its community, the House of Refuge International
Ministries, Inc. distributes bags of food, clothing and furniture to
those in need on every third Friday of the month; in addition, it minis-
ters to the community through prayer and the sharing of the Gospel; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the House of Refuge International Ministries,
Inc. visit the sick and shut-ins; the "We Care" ministry visits hospi-
tals, nursing homes and the individual homes of those who are incapaci-
tated, and greeting cards are sent and phone calls are made to let the
people know that the ministry is concerned about their well-being; Bish-
op Woody visits the hospital every Sunday morning before the worship
service to pray for the sick and to minister to those in need; 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 the House of Refuge International Ministries, Inc. upon the
occasion of hosting its 10th Anniversary Celebration; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bishop Jeffrey C. Woody, Founder and Pastor of House of
Refuge International Ministries, Inc.