SALUTE TO FOUR DEVOTED MEMBERS OF THE NEW LIFE IN CHRIST MINISTRIES
WHEREAS, New Life In Christ Ministries evolved from a spiritual vision conceived by New Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church's pastor, Evangelist Cynthia Irene Conley and Prophet Lamont Coakley who became the church's Bishop and overseer; and
WHEREAS, After the two were united in Holy Matrimony, they changed the church's name to its present one, reflecting the combined ministry's objectives. They were uplifted in spiritual quest by their flock, most notably by four congregants whose unyielding faith and praiseworthy endeavors enabled New Life In Christ Ministries to become one of the iconic spiritual institutions of Chicago's West Side faith communities; and
WHEREAS, In 1961, Mother Bernice Washington joined the Zion Travelers M.B. Church that later became New Life in Christ Ministries. For more than a half-century, she has been one of its most faithful and loyal members as a member of the Trustee Board, the Mothers on Mission, and the Building Fund Committee as well as serving as the church secretary and treasurer for almost forty years; and
WHEREAS, Mother Alyce Carroll Conley has served God since an early age. Mother Conley is a pillar of New Life in Christ Ministries since April 1962. For 34 years, she was a teacher's aide for the Chicago Public Schools. In July 1973, Mother Conley organized the Stella Hughes Mission that consisted of seven members. As the members began to age, the mission became "Mothers on Mission", designed to help provide young people the tools needed to lead a spiritual life; and
WHEREAS, Deacon Leander John Cooks has been a faithful member of New Life in Christ Ministries for more than 25 years. He joined the U.S. Army at the age of 19 years old, where he served four years ranking to Sergeant E5. Leander is married and is the father of three as well as the grandfather of four. He became its first ordained Deacon. He is in charge of Building and Grounds, also teaches Sunday school and serves on the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Lillian Turnage, another faithful and devoted congregant of New Life in Christ Ministries since March, 2011, was a Certified Nursing Assistant for more than three decades. She is the mother of six, grandmother of 21 and great-grandmother of 25; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Bobby Strickland, the current pastor, leader, motivator, teacher and inspirer of New Life In Christ Ministries, his wife, Lady Sabrina F. Strickland and his daughter Shakira will be entering the third year of his stewardship. The congregation will celebrate their Pastor's & First Family Appreciation Weekend from January 25 through January 27, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward, has apprised this august body of the remarkable service these four outstanding citizens have given to this noteworthy West Side ministry; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together this 17th Day of January, 2013 AD, do hereby salute these four praiseworthy citizens and express our admiration for their devotion to the spiritual mission of New Life in Christ Ministries.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That suitable copies of this resolution be prepared and presented to Mother Bernice Washington, Mother Alyce Carroll Conley, Deacon Leander John Cooks, Lillian Turnage, and Reverend Bobby Strickland, pastor of New Life in Christ Ministries.