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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING REVEREND DR. TRUNELL D. FELDER ON HIS 25TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY AND NEW FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH INTERNATIONAL ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, on January 4, 1976, New Faith Baptist Church held its first worship service with 67 people at Blackhawk Elementary School in Park Forest. After studying the Park Forest area, the Reverend Junius Dudley found integrated churches, but he also recognized that they did not fully include the Black worship experience and lacked Black leadership. Concerned about the community, Reverend Dudley appealed to the Reverend Dale Cross of the Southern Baptist Convention for resources to establish a church. New Faith began as a Southern Baptist mission, with supplemental support for the pastor and access to the Convention's resources; and
WHEREAS, New Faith grew rapidly and reached approximately 150 members, and although Reverend Dudley resigned in December 1978, his obedience and founding vision created a legacy that would continue for generations; and
WHEREAS, on October 12, 1984, the church broke ground for a permanent facility, beginning a lasting ministry presence in Matteson, and on February 22, 1987, New Faith moved into its permanent home at 25 South Central Avenue in Matteson with 287 members; Reverend Frank A. Thomas, New Faith’s 3rd Pastor, affectionately known as Pastor Frank, emphasized prayer, biblical teaching, and passionate preaching; and
WHEREAS, as membership grew, New Faith expanded its staff by adding a Minister of Pastoral Care and a Minister of Music, and by 1990, New Faith had added a Director of Administration and a Youth Director; and
WHEREAS, in September 1990, the church purchased an additional 22 acres, bringing its total land ownership to 27 acres, and Ministry opportunities for women, children, and men expanded, and the all-male ensemble Barnabas debuted during the 1990 revival. By 1991, New Faith had added a second worship service; and
WHEREAS, in March 1992, New Faith had added a Saturday evening service, bringing the church to three weekly worship services. Growth required creative partnerships: the nursery operated at a nearby KinderCare, while Children's Church and Sunday school classes met at Woodgate School. The church added leadership positions in Christian education, justice, youth and family ministry, youth programming, and youth spiritual life. Programs such as Victorious Christian Living Institute, Jesus and Me, and Helping Young People Excel strengthened biblical education and youth development; and
WHEREAS, with more than 52 ministries, over 2,000 members, and approximately 40 employees, New Faith began planning a major expansion. In October 1992, members contributed $101,245 toward the final payment on the 22-acre land acquisition and completed a sanctuary renovation after temporarily worshiping at Rich Central High School, a period that helped draw more young people to the ministry. The renovated sanctuary seated 960 people, and the church also built the Keith Sallie Activity Center, including classrooms, gathering space, reception areas, and additional washrooms; and
WHEREAS, the center honored Keith Sallie, a young music director who encouraged young people to use their gifts for God's glory and whose life ended tragically in an automobile accident and the Wall of Recognition was installed in the Keith Sallie Activity Center to honor those whose sacrificial giving supported the building program. Harvey Hall was named for Kenneth Harvey, an award-winning media professional and faithful New Faith member who died in 1998; and
WHEREAS, after 17 years of pastoral leadership, the Reverend Frank A. Thomas resigned in 1999 to become pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Following two years of prayer and fasting, New Faith called the Reverend Dr. Trunell D. Felder, then co-pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia. His first sermon at New Faith, “Living for an Audience of One”, affirmed his call as a shepherd and lead servant. On July 28, 2001, the congregation assembled to vote, and in August 2001 the active membership confirmed Pastor Felder by a large majority; and
WHEREAS, on January 13, 2002, Pastor Felder introduced a renewed vision and mission for New Faith Baptist Church. Membership grew from approximately 2,200 to more than 6,000, requiring four worship services each weekend. Evangelism and outreach became central priorities. In Ford Heights, one of Illinois' most economically distressed communities, New Faith provided health screenings, school and baby supplies, resident care packages, a job fair, a carnival, and a gospel concert; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, New Faith Baptist Church became New Faith Baptist Church International. Its global ministry expanded to 15 locations in Ghana and six locations in Cape Town, with outreach that supported churches, clean-water wells, schools, medical clinics, farms, orphan feeding programs, and Bible distribution across Africa, India, and China. Following Hurricane Katrina, New Faith became a major collection and distribution center, operating with around-the-clock volunteers to receive donations, coordinate shelter, pack supplies, and deliver truckloads of assistance to survivors in Texas. This response prepared the church for later disaster-relief efforts in Haiti in 2010 and Alabama in 2011; and
WHEREAS, on June 1, 2012, New Faith opened a new sanctuary after years of prayer, fasting, and sacrificial giving. The expanded campus increased the church's capacity to worship, serve, and care for the community. By this period, New Faith's ministry and outreach had reached approximately 375,000 people worldwide; and
WHEREAS, New Faith continued to broaden the meaning of ministry and community service. Its Expungement Fair became the largest event of its kind in Cook County's south suburbs at that time, bringing together legal, political, and community leaders to help residents address criminal records and avoid significant private legal costs. The church also partnered with Habitat for Humanity through homeownership workshops, financial support, and volunteer assistance, including support for a home built for a family of 20. Through Pastor Felder's leadership, New Faith also launched evangelism training through Won by One; and
WHEREAS, under the theme New Faith New You, the church celebrated Pastor Felder's 60th birthday and another year of his devoted leadership. New Faith expanded family-centered gatherings, including Steppers Night Under the Stars, weekend game nights, and basketball camps, creating accessible opportunities for neighbors and visitors to experience fellowship and the love of Christ; and
WHEREAS, New Faith has experienced continued growth and connection and created 12 new Unity Groups so members could build relationships and fellowship beyond the Sunday worship experience. Participation remains strong across women's, men's, youth, and senior ministries. The church reported more than 18,325 professions of faith and increased participation in Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and volunteer outreach; and
WHEREAS, New Faith Baptist Church International celebrates 50 years of worship, witness, and wondrous works, while the Reverend Dr. Trunell D. Felder celebrates 25 years of pastoral leadership. The church recognizes this milestone as its Year of Jubilee and gives thanks for a legacy that has grown from 67 worshipers in an elementary school into a local, national, and international ministry committed to faith, service, justice, education, family, and community transformation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby recognize and commemorate the 25th Pastoral Anniversary of Reverend Dr. Trunell D. Felder and the 50th Anniversary of New Faith Baptist Church International; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Honorable Body extends its sincere congratulations and gratitude to Reverend Dr. Trunell D. Felder for his many years of faithful service to his church and the broader community and New Faith Baptist Church International on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be entered into the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and that a suitable copy be presented to Reverend Dr. Trunell D. Felder as a token of respect and esteem.
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