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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING ST. LUKE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 107TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, on October 15, 1918, led by the Holy Spirit, Reverand Edward Hubbard, a national officer of the National Baptist Convention, led a group organizing a church. Reverand Chard Harmon, Pastor of West Point Baptist Church, Reverand Jones of Texas, and Reverand Charles Bryant served on the formation committee. Deacon Ned Norman suggested the name St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Deacon H.E. Johnson, Ned Norman, John Harris, An Hayward, and their wives, along with Brother and Sister Bruce Hall, formed the church’s first members and the church’s first three Pastors were Rev. Godlove, Rev. McDave of Georgia, and Rev. R.L. Randall of Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Randall brought the church to national prominence under his leadership, and the membership grew and was in need of a larger edifice. It was at this time the building at 3663 S. Indiana Ave. was purchased; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Sandy Ray of Macon, GA became the church’s next Pastor, followed by Rev. S.A. Grayson, who redecorated the church building, laid the cornerstone, and purchased the buildings at 3663 S. Indiana Ave. for the parsonage before resigning in 1961, and in 1962, Rev. Hosea Burgie, converted and baptized at St. Luke, a member of the Gospel Chorus, and ordained a Deacon by Rev. Grayson, was called as Pastor; and
WHEREAS, in November 1970, after the church’s edifice was consumed by a fire, services were held at the A.R. Leak Colonial House while a committee of Pastor Burgie, Deacons, and Trustees located and purchased the present church home at 7262 S. Coles Ave. and flourished at this location under Pastor Burgie with many new members coming from the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Burgie served as Pastor for 30 years until January 19, 1992, when he went home to be with the Lord; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Slaughter James became our Pastor in June 1994, leading with the vision “Calling the lost to Christ,” during which he initiated a tutorial program, Food and Clothing Ministry, Prison Ministry, restored the church’s sanctuary, facilitated the purchase of a van, coach bus, air conditioning, and installed a chairlift for the disabled, in his 10 years of service; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Scott Onqué, who joined St. Luke in January 1999, served as Interim Minister in 2004, was elected Pastor in the fall of 2004, and led the church through a difficult time, with installation services held in March 2005, declaring a focus on community service and encouraging the congregation to “Come Alive in 2005”; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Onqué’s vision for the church is “A Church called to Ministry”, and under his leadership the church underwent renovation both physically and spiritually encouraging to love and accept one another; and
WHEREAS under Pastor Onqué’s leadership, the kitchen was upgraded to a full-service restaurant quality, the Fellowship Hall was remodeled and dedicated to Reverend Hosea B. Burgie, a new roof was installed, and in 2020, video cameras and TV monitors were added to the sanctuary for streaming; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Onqué has introduced an additional service, “The Power Hour,” commencing at 8:00 AM. This service caters to members who desire to arrive earlier and partake in a distinct service format. Furthermore, he has expanded his ministry to include a Nursing Home Ministry, complementing his ongoing efforts in the Prison Ministry; and
WHEREAS, the ministerial staff includes, Reverend Andre Booth, Rev Lorrell Freemon, Rev. Dr. Roger Harris Jr. and Minister Wanda Ravesloot and currently have the following ministries: Deacons and Deaconesses, Junior Deacons, Trustees, Mother’s Board, Pastor’s Care, Member Care Ministries: (Nehemiah Unit, Superior Unit, Victory Unity, and Willing Workers Unit), Department of Christian Education, Sunday School, Mission Society, Senior and Junior Usher, Men’s Ministry, Evangelism Ministry, Nurses Health Ministry, Youth Department, Young Adults, Mass Choir, Young Adult Choir, Praise Chorale, and The Worship Thru The Arts Ministry: (Praise Dance/ Mime Ministry, Theatre Arts) and a thriving Green Team; and
WHEREAS, this year St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 107th Anniversary;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners officially honor St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church on the occasion of their 107th Anniversary; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, this resolution be recorded in the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy be presented to Pastor Scott Onqué as a token of our respect and esteem.
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