title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING REVEREND DR. CRAIG MELVIN SMITH UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS 50TH ANNIVERSARY AS A MINISTER
WHEREAS, on Sunday, February 27, 2022, the faith community of Freedom Baptist Church of the Greater Chicago Area in Hillside, Illinois will celebrate Reverend Dr. Craig Melvin Smith’s 50 years of preaching; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reverend Craig Melvin Smith was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois, the third of seven children, he was called to preach the Gospel in 1972 in his junior year at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reverend Craig Melvin Smith preached his first sermon at his home church, the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Peoria in February 1972, where the late Rev. Dr. Calvin Hightower was his pastor. Rev. Dr. Smith was ordained in April 1974 at his home church; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reverend Craig Melvin previously served as Pastor of Providence Baptist Church, Rockford, Illinois from 1978-1987 and Pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church on the westside of Chicago, 1987-2000; and
WHEREAS, on April 9, 2000 the Holy Spirit led Pastor Smith and over 300 faith-fueled, progressive minded, serious saints in the starting of the Freedom Hillside Baptist Church. Over 2500 persons have called Freedom Hillside their church home since the first worship service was held in the Hillside Theater; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Smith is to be applauded for his steadfast commitment to uplifting lives and serving the needs of families and individuals throughout the Freedom Hillside faith community as senior pastor and teacher for the past 22 years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reverend Craig Melvin Smith is a visionary leader committed to expanding resources for the community. Freedom Forward was unveiled in the spring of 2019 as the three-phased project of renovation and expansion: a renovated sanctuary, reception area, restrooms, offices, café, conference center and a three-story addition for ministry and community uses; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reverend Craig Melvin Smith is revered for his commitment to teaching through bible study including Men of the Bible and Word on Wednesday; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Craig Melvin Smith has served the community in blessed partnership with his wife Patricia. They will celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Craig Melvin Smith’s ministries have helped countless many in their individual faith journeys; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, does hereby thank Reverend Dr. Craig Melvin Smith for his important and commendable work on behalf of our County and wishes him every continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be tendered to Reverend Dr. Craig Melvin Smith, as a token of the esteem in which he is held by the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
end