LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood upon
the occasion of his 50th Anniversary in Divine Ministry

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the faithful
concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their energies
and purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS. It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves
and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Reverend Dr.
Johnny Ray Youngblood upon the occasion of his 50th Anniversary in
Divine Ministry on February 2-3, 2011, at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in
Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Senior Pastor of
Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, has fostered the growth of the congre-
gations and the inception of community programs; and
WHEREAS, Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Johnny Ray Youngblood was
only 12 years old when, at an area conference, the United Metropolitan
Spiritual Churches of Christ awarded him a preaching license; he earned
his B.A. degree in 1970 from Dillard University, and later received his
Master of Divinity degree from Colgate-Rochester Theological Seminary in
1973; in 1990, he went on to earn his Doctorate of Ministry from United
Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, as well as receive his Honorary
Master of Divinity degree from Boston University in 1993; and
WHEREAS, In June of 2009, The Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood
retired as Senior Pastor of the St. Paul Community Baptist Church of
East New York, Brooklyn, after 35 years of service; in 2001, he was
called to serve in the same capacity at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in
Bedford Stuyvesant, a role he was honored to take on in memory of one of
his mentors, the late Reverend George H. Murray; Dr. Youngblood contin-
ues to serve as Executive Pastor of this congregation; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood is one of the leading
theologians of his time; his commitment to the call for spiritual heal-
ing, racial parity, social justice, and economic equity for all people
has garnered him national recognition as a prophet, national leader,
public advocate, motivator, writer, and teacher; and
WHEREAS, Recognized on the national level as a result of his work with
East Brooklyn Congregations, an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foun-
dation, Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood spearheaded the Nehemiah
Housing Project which has constructed approximately 2,900 owner-occupied
single family homes in several devastated Brooklyn communities; he also
serves as a national spokesman for the group; and
WHEREAS, The subject of the 1993 book entitled, UPON THIS ROCK: THE
MIRACLES OF A BLACK CHURCH, Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood is also
featured in several articles in prominent magazines, including COMMON
QUEST, THE THE NEW YORKER, MIRABELLA, DETAILS, EMERGE, and ESSENCE; he
has also been the subject of news journal programs on ABC's "20/20," the
NBC "Nightly News," CBS "Sunday Morning News," Fox 5's "McCreary Live
Report," and the "Charlie Rose Show"; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood was called by
the Board of Mt. Pisgah Church in Brooklyn to assist in the stabiliza-
tion and recovery of the Church, which included restoring the Mt. Pisgah
Christian Academy, since renamed the George Henry Murray Academy; he was
voted Senior Pastor of the Church on May 26, 2002; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood is the father of three
sons, Joel Ray, Jason Royce, and Johnny Jenell; he is the loving grand-
father of six grandchildren, Donnalyn, Joshua, Jalen, Jordyn, Jasmine,
and Nicholas; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood upon the occasion of his 50th
Anniversary in Divine Ministry; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Mount Pisgah Baptist
Church, Brooklyn, New York.