Honorary Resolution for Pastor Earl Stephen Roberts
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that the members of this Chamber learn of the retirement celebration for Pastor Earl Stephen Roberts, dedicated Pastor at the Garfield Park Community Worship Center in Chicago, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been notified of his achievements by the Honorable Jason C. Ervin, Alderman ofthe 28th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Born on July 14,1944, in Toledo, Ohio, Earl was the adored son of Melvin and Edwina Roberts and was the youngest of three siblings. Earl was raised on the West Side of Chicago and . attended Brown Elementary School, McKinley Junior High and Crane Tech High School; and
WHEREAS, It was in Earl's late teens when he entered the U.S. military. After three years of service and a promotion to a non-commissioned officer rank of sergeant, he received an honorable discharge and returned to the United States; and
WHEREAS, After his return, Earl spent five years as an avid reader passionately engaging in independent studies regarding the people, culture and civilizations of Ancient Egypt. Soon after, he decided to further his formal education at Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University. He received his formal training for ministry at Great Lakes Bible College in Michigan and later received an Honorary Doctoral Degree of Divinity; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Roberts worked in the corporate world as a supervisor and manager for Oldsmobile. He also was employed as the General Manager of a chain of five restaurants for the Ponchartrain Food Company; and
WHEREAS, Earl learned the importance of worship at a young age being raised in a Christian home and attending church regularly with his family. It was in 1983 when Earl received God's call to ministerial service and in 1984 he became a full-time Pastor; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Roberts has remained Pastor of the Garfield Park Community Worship Center (GPCWC) for thirty-five years, twenty-eight of those years serving as Senior Pastor. Under Pastor Roberts' leadership, GPCWC has continued their strong commitment to serving the community through social programs and improving the quality of life for West Side community residents; and
WHEREAS, One of Pastor Roberts most notable contributions to the community was creating In His Image School of Ministry, founded in 2003. The school's mission is to facilitate Bible-based instruction and doctrinal training for the ever increasing number of ministerial staff being called at Garfield Park Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Roberts is a prolific writer, having written many Bible help pamphlets and study guides. He has written four books in the hope of educating and inspiring others. They are entitled: Beyond the Flesh, 2005; Heirs of Destiny, 2014; Who is God and What is the Church, 2015; and This Kingdom of the Gospel, 2018; and
WHEREAS, During Pastor Roberts' career he has had the support of his wife of over twenty-five years, Katheryn Roberts. Together they raised their three children from their previous marriages, Sean, David and Diana. Earl and Katheryn had a fourth daughter together, Rebekah. In addition to watching their children excel academically and professionally, Earl and Katheryn are the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Roberts has dedicated his life to Christian service and improving the lives of his community, especially those in need. He has shown admirable benevolence, fortitude and commitment to the City of Chicago and deserves to be recognized and celebrated for his years of service; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-seventh day of June, 2018, do hereby express our sincerest congratulations and thanks to Pastor Earl Stephen Roberts for his many years of service.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Pastor Earl Stephen Roberts as a token of our gratitude, honor and respect.