LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating The Reverend Norman Coleman upon
the occasion of celebrating his 25th Anniversary as Pastor-Teacher of
Burke Avenue 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 practice of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish them-
selves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preemi-
nence of service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate The
Reverend Norman Coleman upon the occasion of celebrating his 25th Anni-
versary as Pastor-Teacher of Burke Avenue Baptist Church, Bronx, New
York, and 30 years of faithful service proclaiming God's mandate for His
people; and
WHEREAS, To recognize the milestones of this secular man, a Pastoral
Anniversary Banquet will be held in his honor on Friday, March 27, 2015,
at the Davenport Club, New Rochelle, New York; the theme for this momen-
tous evening will be "The Man, The Message, The Mission"; and
WHEREAS, A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Norman Coleman moved
to New York City at an early age; he attended the Community Baptist
Church of Bayside, New York, and later the Mt. Olive Baptist Church of
Great Neck, New York; and
WHEREAS, While attending the State University of New York at Cortland,
Norman Coleman realized God had a greater plan for him; he relocated to
Albany, New York, and became active within the Mt. Pleasant Baptist
Church, serving as both a choir member and church school teacher; while
there, he accepted the call to the gospel ministry and preached his
initial sermon; it was then he received his license to preach; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Norman Coleman decided to follow his heart and left
his job with the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church to further his education;
he attended the American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee, and
received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Theology; and
WHEREAS, While a student at the American Baptist College, Reverend
Norman Coleman attended the Temple Baptist Church; as a member, he
taught the Pastor's Class in Church School, and served as Director of
Outreach Evangelism, Minister of the Children's Church, and Baptist
Doctrine Instructor for the teachers of Temple Baptist Academy; and
WHEREAS, After being invited to assist in the ministry at the Walker
Memorial Baptist Church in the Bronx, Reverend Norman Coleman relocated
to the Bronx and was ordained on Sunday, November 10, 1985; and
WHEREAS, As Pastor of Walker Memorial Baptist Church, Reverend Norman
Coleman served as Minister for Evangelism, Instructor for New Members
Orientation, and Minister of the Youth Church; and
WHEREAS, When the late Reverend Frank R. Banks fell ill, Reverend
Norman Coleman was called to assume the duties of Pastor at Burke Avenue
Baptist Church in the Bronx; since then, he has been the guiding light
for the parishioners through his sermons and tutelage; and
WHEREAS, For the past 25 years, under the luminous direction of Rever-
end Norman Coleman, the Burke Avenue Baptist Church has grown spiritual-
ly and the members of the congregation have truly benefitted from his
profound knowledge and wisdom; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Reverend Norman Coleman is serving his second term
as President of the Empire Baptist Congress of Christian Education, the

teaching arm of the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention of New York,
Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Formerly, he served as Vice President-at-Large of the
Congress, Area IV Vice President of the Empire Baptist Missionary
Convention, and from 1991-2001 Moderator of the Central Hudson Baptist
Association; he also conducted seminars in the Empire Baptist Conven-
tion, and has taught in the National Baptist Congress of Christian
Education; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, Reverend Norman Coleman graduated from the NYPD's
Citizens Police Academy; today, he serves as the Treasurer of the 49th
Precinct Clergy Council and is a member of the 49th Community Council,
as well as a member of the NAACP; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, the former Angelique
Beatrice Banks, who feels privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoices in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Norman Coleman stands on the threshold of tomor-
row, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retain-
ing that spiritual resolve which characterizes his past; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Reverend Norman Coleman upon the occasion of celebrating
his 25th Anniversary as Pastor-Teacher of Burke Avenue Baptist Church,
and 30 years of faithful service proclaiming God's mandate for His
people, fully confident that this celebration reflects the belief in
those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Norman Coleman.