Assembly Resolution No. 789

BY: M. of A. Cook

HONORING Rev. Joseph N. Felix upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of a Lincoln-King
Visionary Award for his commitment and service to
his community

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Felix has given not only of his time and energies
but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Rev. Joseph
N. Felix upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Lincoln-King Visionary Award for his commitment and service to his
community, to be celebrated at the Lincoln-King Visionary Awards Gala,
"From Dream to Greatness," on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the Sand
Castle in Franklin Square, New York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious community gala is held annually to unite
the international community and to celebrate unity in diversity while
recognizing community leaders for their services; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Felix has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and

WHEREAS, Having grown in popularity as a young dynamic and anointed
preacher and youth leader, Joseph Felix started his first church plant
in New Hampshire in 1995 and ministered for two years until moving to
New York; and

WHEREAS, Born on May 9, 1965 in Aux Cayes, Haiti, Joseph Felix had a
fervor and enthusiasm for church in preaching and prayer services from a
young age;

WHEREAS, With humble beginnings, at the remarkable age of 14, Joseph
Felix began leading services under coconut leaves in tents; at 17 years
old, he had a church built with brick in Tonbek with a capacity of 400
people; later, at age 25, he founded another church in the same region,
Tonbek George, with a capacity of 800 people; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Felix would also later build an adjoining school in
Tonbek in 2008; after graduating from Cevique College, he started his
ministerial education at Mission L'Eglise de Dieu (Church of God
Mission); with bigger dreams in mind, he received a visa to travel to
France before eventually traveling to the United States and residing in
Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, In 1998, Joseph Felix founded his main branch Church of God
Faith in Christ, which started as a modest gathering of 40 members and
grew over time to more than 100 members; the Church now resides at 1238

Flatbush Avenue and is recognized for its Thursday morning fasting
services where miracles and healings are performed; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, Joseph Felix opened a church in Naples, Florida
for about 4 years; then, in 2018, he opened another church in Aux Cayes
with a capacity of 350 people; and

WHEREAS, Not only was he diligent in serving his religious
community, Joseph Felix also was arduous in his studies; from 1992 to
2010, Joseph Felix worked on his academic career obtaining a certificate
from Mt. Olive Bible Institute, and his bachelors, masters and
doctorate degrees in theology from Lighthouse Christian Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Joseph N. Felix is known for his dynamic preaching,
dedication to serve, integrity, work ethic, restlessness, energetic
footwork and most of all his charitable heart which has helped and
encouraged so many, like his commitment with various relief efforts in
his missionary work to Haiti; and

WHEREAS, Besides his domestic travels in the States, Rev. Joseph N.
Felix has also traveled and ministered in countries like France, Canada,
and Dominican Republic; even during Haiti's current tumultuous and
dangerous conditions, he traveled, ministered and assisted his ailing
community in Aux Cayes; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout since 1993 has been his wife, Geraldine
Felix, his son, Benjamin, and his two daughters, Kestia and Daniella,
all of whom feel privileged to have been a part of his life and rejoiced
in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Rev. Joseph N. Felix has stood
constant in dignity, good grace, and humor; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Rev. Joseph N. Felix has
displayed throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body
to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Rev. Joseph N. Felix, that future generations may know and appreciate
his admirable character, his many benevolent deeds, and the respect and
esteem in which he is held by his peers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Rev. Joseph N. Felix upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Lincoln-King Visionary Award for his commitment and
service to his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Rev. Joseph N. Felix.