Senate Resolution No. 669

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMENDING The Reverend William Edward Morgan upon
the occasion of his 20th Pastoral Anniversary to be
celebrated on Saturday, March 16, 2019

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 custom of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition 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 The
Reverend William Edward Morgan of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Albany,
New York, upon the occasion of his 20th Pastoral Anniversary to be
celebrated at a Gala held in his honor on Saturday, March 16, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Born in Sumter, South Carolina, Reverend William Edward
Morgan was baptized at an early age under the leadership of the Reverend
Dr. R. W. Stalling; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 12, the family moved to Bronx, New York where
they united with Loyal Baptist Church under the guidance of Reverend E.
T. Johnson; it was there Pastor Morgan began to pursue his Christian
journey; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, after much prayer and studying, Reverend William
Edward Morgan heeded God's call to the ministry whereby he was licensed
to preach; remaining faithful to Reverend Dixon and the Loyal Church
family, he became the director of Education Catechism for the Ordination
of Deacons and supervisor of the Ushers Ministry while also serving as
youth minister for Solomon Temple Church in the Bronx under the
direction of Reverend D. Eugene Rodgers; and

WHEREAS, He was educated in the New York City public school system
and went on to earn an associate degree at New York's Theological Bible
Institute; in 1997, Reverend Dr. Johnnie G. McCann served as Catechist
for Pastor Morgan's ordination; and

WHEREAS, In November of 1998, Reverend William Edward Morgan was
called to pastor Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Albany, New York; his
pastoral duties began the first Sunday in January of 1999; and

WHEREAS, From the moment of acceptance, Reverend William Edward
Morgan's mantra for Mount Pleasant's congregation was "From membership
to Discipleship," which was followed with a series of five seminars on
"The Assurance of Salvation"; and

WHEREAS, Reverend William Edward Morgan adheres to the following
passages of scripture - "Let the Elders who rule well be counted worthy
of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine"-

1st Timothy 5:17 and "Obey those who are over you and be submissive, for
they watch out for your souls, as those must give account. Let them do
so with joy and not with grief for that would be unprofitable for you"-
Hebrews 13:17; and

WHEREAS, Since becoming Mount Pleasant's pastor, Reverend William
Edward Morgan has established the MPBC Bible Institute, reorganized the
Board of Christian Education, baptized over 600 new members, licensed
three ministers, ordained three ministers, six deacons and set aside six
junior deacons; and

WHEREAS, He has also consecrated three deaconesses and set aside
three junior deaconesses, appointed six women to the Church's Mother
Board, the parsonage's mortgage was paid off in three years, a new van
and minibus were purchased as well as four houses adjacent to the church
which were demolish to enable future expansion; and

WHEREAS, Among his many duties and assignments, Reverend William
Edward Morgan served as Area 3's Vice President of the Empire Baptist
Missionary Convention, Inc., and, is also a certified instructor of
Baptist Doctrine for the Hudson River Frontier Association and the
Empire Baptist Congress of Christian Education; he is the proud husband
of The Reverend Shirley A. Morgan to whom he has been married to for
over 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Reverend William Edward Morgan has brought to his ministry
an overwhelming 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
professional integrity and dedication; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given
enlightenment, guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and
has administered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and
corporal needs of all; 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
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Reverend William Edward Morgan upon the occasion of his 20th
Pastoral Anniversary, 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 copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend William Edward Morgan, and the Mount
Pleasant Baptist Church's Archives.