LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Pastor William Gillison upon the occa-
sion of celebrating his 35th Pastoral Anniversary

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 them-
selves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preemi-
nence of service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Pastor
William Gillison upon the occasion of celebrating his 35th Pastoral
Anniversary in June of 2016; and
WHEREAS, A native of Beaufort, South Carolina, Pastor William Gillison
was called into the ministry in August of 1980; in June of 1981, he
became the spiritual leader of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Buffalo, New
York; and
WHEREAS, In this capacity, Pastor William Gillison was instrumental in
the construction and moving of the church into its present home in 1994;
today, Mt. Olive Church is comprised of 1,200 faithful members, a chapel
overflow, and 16 classrooms and an all-purpose hall used for lectures
and dining; under his luminous guidance, the 20-year mortgage on the
church was fully repaid in six years; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, Pastor William Gillison founded the Mt. Olive Devel-
opment Corporation; serving as President, he and his staff have strived
to help the community rebuild its housing and buildings for 25 years;
and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man is the Moderator of the Great Lakes
Baptist District Association, uniting churches throughout many cities in
Western New York, such as Dunkirk, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Lackawanna,
Albion, and Rochester; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Pastor William Gillison has held
the title of Vice President of the Empire State Convention, Instructor
in the State and Local Congress of Christian Education, and the Ecumeni-
cal Chair of the Black Leadership Commission on AIDS of Buffalo; in
addition, he has been a vital member of the Board of Directors of the
Erie County Medical Center, the Grace Manor Nursing Home Foundation, and
Campus Ministries at the University of Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his many achievements, Pastor William
Gillison holds Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Jesus the Liberator Semi-
nary in Buffalo, and the Triune Biblical University and Seminary in
Kelso, Washington; and
WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his profes-
sion and community, Pastor William Gillison has been a recipient of
numerous awards and accolades including the State of New York Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award, the National Conference
Brother/Sisterhood Interfaith Award for Outstanding Commitment to the
Community, Service Award by the Buffalo Lutheran Employment Service,
Outstanding Service as Pastor, Preacher and Community Leader by Colgate
Rochester Divinity School Crozer Theological Seminary, and the Erie
Community College Community Collaboration Award; and
WHEREAS, He also was bestowed upon The Reverend Sandy F. Ray Award for
dedication and leadership by the Empire Missionary Baptist Convention,
and was named a Distinguished Citizen by SADOO Enterprise, Inc. and a
Good Samaritan by The Samaritan Center; and

WHEREAS, Each week, Pastor William Gillison appears on "The Answer," a
television program broadcast on Total Christian Television, and on "Just
a Voice," a radio program broadcast on WUFO radio; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, the former Antonia
Davis; his four children, Mia, Dwayne, Crystal and Russell; and his
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be
a part of his life and rejoice in his accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Pastor William Gillison 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, 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 Pastor William Gillison upon the occasion of celebrating his
35th 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 a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Pastor William Gillison.