Alderman, 4th Ward
Workforce Development and Audit
435 East 35th Street Chicago, Illinois 60616 Telephone: (773) 536-8103 Fax: (773) 536-7296
WHEREAS, It is with great honor that the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago are hereby informed ofthe 15 th year pastoral anniversary celebration of Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes on Sunday, April 30, 2017, by Alderman Sophia King; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes serves as Senior Pastor and Teacher of West Point Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois.
WHEREAS, He received his elementary education at Nicholas Copernicus and secondary education at Marie Curie Metropolitan of the Performing and Creative Arts High School. Furthering his education, he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Elmhurst College, a Master of Arts Degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University, and earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary; and
WHEREAS, As Senior Pastor of West Point Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Jakes has witnessed numerous spiritual, financial and administrative successes in the last fourteen years. His most notable was being immeasurably involved in bringing healing, reconciliation, and restoration to a congregation that suffered a devastating church split prior to him being called to serve, as well as establishing the Operation H.O.P.E. Food and Clothing Pantry and the West Point Community Development Corporation; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Jakes is highly involved with local, state and federal policy makers. He has used his voice as a local pastor to speak truth to power as it relates to social justice, social action, and social accountability. Dr. Jakes' passion, commitment, and unwavering voice for social justice has led policymakers to seek his insight on statewide issues such as sensible gun laws, same gender marriage, increasing the minimum wage, and education funding reform, just to name a few; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Jakes is proudly serving as a working member on the Mayor's Commission for a Safer Chicago, as well as the Faith Based Leaders Advisory Board of the Cook Comity Public Defender's Office. Additionally, Dr. Jakes serves as spiritual advisor to several local and state politicians; and
WHEREAS, The Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes shares his life and ministry with First Lady Carole Denise, their two children, Brandon and Erika, and their four-legged children, Taylor and Elizabeth; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and members of the Chicago City Council, do hereby celebrate Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes 15th Pastoral Anniversary; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to
