HR0859 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0859 LRB102 27538 LAW 39332 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Cathedral of Joy (COJ) Family Life Center Church on the occasion of its 44 years in ministry; and

WHEREAS, COJ Family Life Center Church was originally established as United Baptist Church in the home of Reverend and Mother J. H. Hinkle Sr. at 15725 South Ashland Avenue in Harvey in June 1977; the church then moved to a building at 231 East 146th Street in Harvey; and

WHEREAS, United Baptist Church was renamed the Cathedral of Joy Church by Deacon Samuel E. Hinkle and chartered in 1977; and

WHEREAS, The COJ Church's first deacons were Deacon Samuel Hinkle III, Deacon Henry Thompson, Deacon Clinton Mobley, and Deacon Clyburn Rogers; the church's first secretary was Sister Mary Thompson, who served from 1977 to 1980, and first clerk was Sister Geri Pitts, who served from 1980 to 1983; and

WHEREAS, Deacon Samuel E. Hinkle III announced his calling to preach in November 1978, becoming ordained by his father, Pastor J.H. Hinkle, in January 1979; he acted as assistant pastor and later became co-pastor to his father; he became pastor after his father passed on October 24, 1982; and

WHEREAS, The COJ Church continued to expand rapidly during the 1980s, leading church leaders to search for a new location; the church relocated to Kedzie and Flossmoor Road in Flossmoor under the visionary stewardship of Pastor Samuel E. Hinkle III on October 16, 1988; and

WHEREAS, The COJ Church's growth continued through the 1990s, during which the church implemented the twofold objective of evangelism and discipleship; and

WHEREAS, The COJ Church continued its journey, relocating to 20401 Western Avenue in the Village of Olympia Fields on Good Friday, April 2, 2010, where it remains today; and

WHEREAS, The COJ Church continues to serve its parishioners and the community through a number of ministries; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Cathedral of Joy Family Life Center Church on its 44 years in ministry, and we wish the church continued success; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to COJ Family Life Center Church as an expression of our esteem and respect.