SALUTING THE 61st-YEAR LEGACY OF THE NEW GREATER EXODUS MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
WHEREAS, In 1953, guided by the motto "Leading a sin-sick world on a journey to the cross", Reverend Frank Beasley, together with five deacons and their wives, was inspired to lay the spiritual foundation for the Greater Exodus Missionary Baptist Church on South Pulaski Road; and
WHEREAS, Five years later, Reverend Beasley retired due to age and continued illness. Shortly thereafter, Reverend John Whitehead, Sr., began his pastoral ministry. With a fervent belief in teaching the unadulterated truth about God's word, he imbued the Holy Spirit in the congregation through encouraging active participation in Bible Class and Sunday school; and
WHEREAS, ln the 31 years of his ministry, Reverend John Whitehead, Sr. added many ministries and members. By 1972, he had to move the church to its current location on West Adams to accommodate the ever-increasing membership. However, six years later, the church was severely damaged by fire. A year later, he was able to hold service once again in that location, an event that inspired him to rename the church "New Greater Exodus"; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, the current pastor, Reverend Edward L. Whitehead, a dynamic teacher, singer and preacher, was unanimously elected after God called his father, the late Reverend John Whitehead Sr, home to Glory. As a product of Chicago's West Side, he attended Hess Upper Grade School and pursued higher education at Chicago Baptist Institute and the Theological and College Seminary of Baltimore, Maryland, where he received an Honorary Bachelors in Theology; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1970's, Reverend Edward Whitehead was a renowned gospel musician with the Love Singers and also played for and sang with the Gospel Heavyweights. By 1977, he had received and accepted his call to the Gospel Ministry at the age of 24. After his ordination, he served under the stewardship of his late father as co-pastor and, in 1988, was unanimously elected as pastor; and
WHEREAS, For more than a quarter-century he has preserved and furthered the legacy of this iconic spiritual beacon of the city's West Side. Not only is Reverend Whitehead an esteemed pastor of New Greater Exodus Missionary Baptist Church but also is affiliated with the Sunlight Baptist District Association and the National Baptist Convention USA Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward, has apprised this august body of the significant milestone of this praiseworthy spiritual institution; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together on this 2nd Day of April, 2014, do hereby salute the New Exodus Missionary Baptist Church for its six + decades of evangelism and service to its community and this city and extend our very best wishes for the continuing success of its mission for many decades to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Reverend Edward L. Whitehead.
2#
Q
3M303*