LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Reverend Dr. Gary V. Simpson upon
the occasion of his 25th Pastoral Anniversary to be celebrated on Octo-
ber 16, 2015

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 The Reverend
Dr. Gary V. Simpson upon the occasion of his 25th Pastoral Anniversary
to be celebrated at a party held in his honor on Friday, October 16,
2015, at the Grand Prospect Hall, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Gary V. Simpson 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, An amazing preacher and a loving friend, The Reverend Dr.
Gary V. Simpson served as the Pastor of The Concord Baptist Church of
Christ, Brooklyn, New York, for 19 years; and
WHEREAS, A native of Columbus, Ohio, Gary V. Simpson was called to the
Church at the young age of 15; it was at this time he preached his first
sermon at the Southfield Community Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, at the age of 20, Gary V. Simpson was ordained a
preacher through the Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association; and
WHEREAS, One year later, Pastor Gary V. Simpson earned his bachelor's
degree from Denison University, Granville, Ohio; he then furthered his
education by receiving his Doctor of Ministry degree from United
Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Reverend Gary V. Simpson held the position of Asso-
ciate Pastor at The Concord Baptist Church of Christ, a title he held
for five years until he left to lead the Calvary Baptist Church, Morris-
town, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, After a year, Reverend Gary V. Simpson returned to serve as
the 10th Senior Pastor of The Concord Baptist Church of Christ on
Sunday, October 7, 1990; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure as Pastor of The Concord Baptist Church
of Christ, The Reverend Gary V. Simpson has not only preached the Word
of God, but also encouraged the members of the church to aid several
charities, including the Micah Project to feed the hungry, Habitat for
Humanity to build and give nice homes to the poor, and donations have
been made to flood and hurricane victims all over the world; and
WHEREAS, The Concord Baptist Church of Christ is recognized as both a
tithing and teaching congregation; as Chair of the Fund for Theological
Education, Reverend Gary V. Simpson provides a vibrant home for young
ministers to learn what it means to become a Pastor; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, the Lilly Endowment, Inc. affirmed the shared gift
of Pastor and congregation by awarding the church a major grant to
establish the Concord Pastoral Residency Program, a transition into
ministry program for recent seminary graduates; this vital ministry is
enabling The Concord Baptist Church of Christ to make a major contrib-
ution to the preparation of the next generation of pastors for churches
throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, The Concord Baptist Church of Christ hosted the
Black Brooklyn Empowerment Convention which brought together community
leaders to resolve issues of crucial importance to the black community;
and
WHEREAS, In October of 2006, the Concord Financial Literacy Series was
launched in an effort to teach people how to break the shackles of
financial bondage; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, The Concord Baptist Church of Christ has become
involved in community service based programs such as Alcoholics Anony-
mous, HIV/AIDS testing and awareness, blood drives, diabetes and hyper-
tension awareness; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable religious institution has also partnered with
Community Planning Board No. 3, Inner City Sports, the Central Brooklyn
Jazz Consortium, and P.A.L., as well as Angel Tree Ministries; and
WHEREAS, For several years, The Concord Baptist Church of Christ has
run an elementary school, and during the summer months, it hosts a Vaca-
tion Bible School and the Freedom School for children of the community;
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, 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 The Reverend Dr. Gary V. Simpson, 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 Legis-
lative 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 The Reverend Dr. Gary V. Simpson.