Retirement Resolution: Bishop William A. Ellis
WHEREAS, On Saturday, September 17, 2016, family, friends and faithful followers will gather to celebrate Bishop William A. Ellis of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park on his promotion from pastoral leadership to a life of leisure; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been informed of this "Grand Retirement Celebration" by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Bishop William A. Ellis is the youngest of 13 children born to the late Elder Charles and Lucille Ellis. His father was the founding pastor of the Indiana Avenue Pentecostal Church of God which is affectionately known as "35th Street Church" in Chicago, Illinois, where he served as pastor until the Lord called him home in 1953; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Ellis experienced the new birth and received his Pentecostal experience on January 8, 1950. The spiritual convictions and the tutelage he received under the loving eyes of his father left an indelible impression on his life. After his father's death, he cherished the spiritual guidance of his beloved brother, confidant and best friend, Bishop David Ellis, the late pastor of Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, Michigan; and
WHEREAS, In 1962, at the tender age of 20, he officially accepted the call to the ministry and received his first ministerial license in October 1963 from the Illinois District Council, then later ordained at the 1968 Convention of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World; and
WHEREAS, In June 1963 Bishop Ellis married the love of his life, Mary P. Wilkins, a union which lasted nearly 50 years. The couple was blessed with four children; Isaac, Jonathan, Michael and William II; and
WHEREAS, In 1968, Bishop Ellis followed the Lord's calling to pastor the Lincoln Park Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas. During this time he was elevated to the position of District Elder and then to Bishop. He effectively served two terms as Chairman of the Texas State Council and Diocesan Bishop at the 13lh Episcopal Diocese; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Ellis' service to the Lord was rewarded, evidenced by increased membership to over 600 active members during his San Antonio tenure as pastor. Termed as a "Pentecostal Trailblazer", he was very active in his community and a champion for many causes. He was the first spiritual leader in the area to televise a weekly church service; and
WHEREAS, Prior to his return to Chicago, Bishop Ellis was commissioned to build a new cathedral of worship known as the "Greater Lincoln Park Temple", a memorial of the legacy left by such a phenomenal man of God; and
WHEREAS, In December 1995 Bishop Ellis became the pastor of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park in Chicago, leading the Church for over twenty years; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Ellis has dedicated his life to God and leading others across the country on their spiritual journey for nearly sixty years; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Ellis has honorably served his community, faith, and the City of Chicago with the utmost dedication and professionalism. May his strong dedication and faith continue to serve as an inspiration to us all; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here on this twenty second day of June, 2016, do hereby express our congratulations to Bishop William A. Ellis on his retirement and extend our best wishes on his future endeavors; and