LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Reverend Doctor Gary V. Simpson
upon the occasion of his designation for special honor by Bed-Stuy
Campaign Against Hunger at its Harvest Through Love Spring Harvest Bene-
fit Reception on June 17, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities of New York State are
reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations and
individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of the community and
its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
The Reverend Doctor Gary V. Simpson upon the occasion of his designation
for special honor by Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger (BSCAH) at its
Harvest Through Love Spring Harvest Benefit Reception to be held at the
Brooklyn Botanic Garden on Thursday, June 17, 2010 to raise awareness of
the prevalence of hunger in New York City communities; and
WHEREAS, Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger was established in 1998 to
serve the growing number of area families facing hunger and, recognizing
and understanding that the fight to end hunger extends beyond canned
goods, BSCAH not only distributes food, it empowers families, providing
information and supportive services as well; and
WHEREAS, The Harvest Through Love Benefit Reception will feature a
silent auction and the celebration of those, such as The Reverend Doctor
Gary V. Simpson, Senior Pastor of the Concord Baptist Church of Christ,
who support BSCAH's mission and efforts to eradicate hunger; and
WHEREAS, Described as profoundly spiritual, deeply dedicated, a
talented visionary, and skillful leader, Dr. Gary V. Simpson, a native
of Columbus, Ohio, is the son of the late Reverend Rufus N. Simpson and
Mrs. Mary H. Simpson Price; he answered the call to the ministry while a
youth and preached his first sermon at the age of 15 at the Southfield
Community Baptist Church and was ordained at age 20 by the Eastern Union
Missionary Baptist Association in August 1983; and
WHEREAS, After completing elementary and high school in Columbus, he
graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Denison University in 1984, with a Bach-
elor of Arts degree in Religion and Black Studies; he received a Master
of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City in
1987 and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological
Seminary of Dayton, Ohio in 1995; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Pastor Simpson, as he prefers to be called, came to
The Concord Baptist Church while a student at Union Theological Seminary
and remained on staff as an Associate Pastor until 1989 when he was
called to the pastorate of Calvary Baptist Church, Morristown, New
Jersey, where he led that historic church into a renaissance that still
remains a vibrant ministry today; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Simpson returned to Concord as Senior Pastor in October
1990 and continues to preside over the 4000 member congregation and such
community outreach ministries as the Concord Baptist Elementary School,
Concord Seniors Residence, Concord Nursing and Rehabilitation Center,
Concord Home Services for the Elderly, Concord Federal Credit Union,
Concord Clothing Exchange, Concord Baptist Christfund, Concord Family
Services, and the Concord Community Development Corporation; and
WHEREAS, This renowned preacher has shared God's Word extensively at
churches and conventions throughout the United States and abroad;
student ministers have benefited from his vast knowledge when he
preached at Harvard Divinity School, Union and Drew Theological Semi-
naries, Morehouse and Manchester Colleges, and Denison University and

served as an Adjunct Professor and lecturer at various seminaries and
colleges; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Pastor Simpson was chosen by the Lilly Endowment of
Indianapolis, Indiana to create and implement a Pastoral Residency
Program for young seminary graduates at the Church; under his leader-
ship, Concord is one of a handful of churches across the country serving
as a teaching congregation for young pastors; and
WHEREAS, Committed to the development and nurture of the pastoral
call, Dr. Simpson currently serves as Assistant Professor of Homiletics
at Drew University Theological Seminary and mentors four full-time
pastoral residents at Concord and a network of "little brothers and
sisters" in the pastorate throughout the nation who seek him out for
counsel and prayer; and
WHEREAS, Active in his profession and his community, Pastor Simpson is
Chair of The Fund for Theological Education and of the Long Range Plan-
ning Committee of the Progressive National Baptist Convention; Board
member of the Denison University Institute of Church Administration and
Management (ICAM); former Board Member of Union Theological Seminary in
New York; Advisory Board member of the African American Pulpit; and
member of the American Baptist Churches and New York Council of Church-
es; and
WHEREAS, He also demonstrates the theme, "Concord Cares" through his
support of and membership in the Allocations Committee of the United Way
of Metropolitan New York, National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People and the Brooklyn Borough President Transition Committee
civic and community organizations; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Simpson has also published numerous literary works and
is, in addition to his preaching and teaching gifts, an accomplished
musician who sings, plays both piano and organ, and is a composer and
lyricist; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions and individuals who have faithfully served the needs of their
community with diligence and compassionate commitment to improving the
quality and dignity of life in the community are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Reverend Doctor Gary V. Simpson upon the occasion of his
designation for special honor by Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger at its
Harvest Through Love Spring Harvest Benefit Reception on June 17, 2010;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Reverend Doctor Gary V. Simpson.