LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Dr. James C. Blackburn upon the occa-
sion of his 30th Anniversary as Pastor of Greater Hope Missionary
Baptist Church

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 commend Dr. James C.
Blackburn upon the occasion of his 30th Anniversary as Pastor of Greater
Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James C. Blackburn has brought to his ministry an over-
whelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and profes-
sional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, A native of Lackawanna, New York, Dr. James C. Blackburn
earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Central Baptist Theological
Seminary of Indiana, a Master of Divinity degree from Marks-Caldwell
College, and a Doctorate of Divinity from the Baptist Bible School of
Western New York.
WHEREAS, Preceding his call to pastor Greater Hope, under the leader-
ship of the late Dr. S. W. Williams, Jr., he served as the Co-Pastor of
the New Zion Institutional Missionary Baptist Church of Buffalo, New
York, and the Greater Galilee Institutional Missionary Baptist Church of
Indianapolis, Indiana; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure in Indiana, Dr. James C. Blackburn was
active in religious and community affairs; this civic-minded man was
President of the Baptist Ministers Foresight Alliance of Indianapolis,
served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Indianapolis Urban
League, and served as Dean and State Director of the General Missionary
Baptist State Convention of Indiana, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, On April of 1984, Dr. James C. Blackburn was called to pastor
the Greater Hope Missionary Baptist Church and, under his leadership,
the church has experienced both physical and spiritual growth; the
church building has been completely renovated, and numerous properties
have been acquired, greatly expanding the church's mission; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James C. Blackburn's leadership extends beyond the bounds
of Greater Hope Missionary Baptist Church; he serves as Chairman of the
Executive Council of the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National
Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., as well as Special Assistant to the Pres-
ident of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education; in addi-
tion, he has served as the Dean of Christian Education for the Empire
Baptist State Convention of New York, President of the Great Lakes
District Congress of Christian Education, and three terms as President
of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Buffalo and Vicinity; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James C. Blackburn is also a television and radio person-
ality in the Buffalo area where he presents the International Sunday
School Lesson, encouraging the viewing audience to attend church; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of
all; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 45 years, Barbara;
their five children, James III (Benita), David, Reverend Jonathan
(LaDonna), Reverend Daniel, and Joanna; and eight grandchildren,
Danielle, Daijah, Brittany, Divine, Jonathan Jr., James, Cincere, Lydia,
and Naomi; 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
commend Dr. James C. Blackburn upon the occasion of his 30th Anniversary
as Pastor of Greater Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Buffalo, New York,
noting his unremitting and compassionate faith and his exemplary service
to God, man, and his community, and extending to him the heartfelt best
wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and
well-being; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. James C. Blackburn.