RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Bishop Gordon A. Humphrey Jr. was a dedicated evangelist and dynamic preacher, renowned for his dedication to sharing of God's holy word; and
WHEREAS, Almighty God called Bishop Humphrey from his earthly work to his eternal reward on December 14, 2014, at the age of 60; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has been advised of Bishop Humphrey's passing by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward; and
WHEREAS, at the time of his death Bishop Humphrey was senior pastor of three churches: Olivet Institutional Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, California, where he served for over 30 years; Olivet Institutional Missionary Church in Stockton, California; and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, born in Ohio, Bishop Humphrey moved to Chicago in 1961 when his father, Bishop Gordon A. Humphrey Sr., became pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, after attending public schools in Chicago, Bishop Humphrey Jr. attended Morehouse College in Atlanta; and
WHEREAS, discerning that God was calling him to service, young Gordon Humphrey devoted himself to the ministry, serving for thirty years as pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Oakland and overseeing that church's expansion to include its companion church in Stockton; and,
WHEREAS, a man of powerful voice and fearless demeanor, Bishop Humphrey often inspired his congregation with spirit-powered song as well as with his preaching; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Humphrey imitated Jesus by ministering to the marginalized and those who might feel unwelcome in some congregations; and
WHEREAS, part of his outreach to the urban marginalized was a service called Sunday Night Live!, which welcomed anyone to come in as they were, to hear the word and to be inspired by song; and
WHEREAS, Sunday Night Live! proved to be so successful in reaching people that it has been used as a model in churches across the country; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, upon the death of his father, Bishop Humphrey was asked to succeed him as pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, and this he did without forsaking the rest of his flock; and
WHEREAS, on December 14, 2014, after an inspiring rendition of the song "Happy," Bishop Humphrey collapsed during the sermon he was preaching in preparation for Christmas, a sermon entitled "Hope in the Manger"; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Gordon A. Humphrey Jr. is survived by his wife, Diane, and their children, Gordon III and Char'Rena; and
WHEREAS, although they are deeply saddened by his passing, Bishop Humphrey's relatives, friends and flock find consolation and joy in the fact that he died doing the work that he loved; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 18th day of March, 2015, do hereby offer thanks and praise for the life and ministry of Bishop Gordon A. Humphrey Jr., even as we join his family, friends and flock in mourning their loss; and
Carrie M. Austin Alderman, 34th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that suitable copies of this Resolution be presented to Bishop Humphrey's family, to Olivet Institutional Missionary Baptist Church of Oakland, Olivet Institutional Missionary Baptist Church of Stockton, and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago as a sign of our sympathy and sincere condolences.