MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Harden, Frazier, Blount, Butler, Dearing, Jackson (32nd), King, McDaniel, Simmons, Yancey
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE CHARITABLE SERVICE AND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP OF REVEREND DR. JERRY YOUNG, PASTOR OF NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH AND PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL MISSIONARY BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Jerry Young, Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, is a native of Scott, Mississippi, and the son of Reverend and Mrs. E.L. Young of Greenville, Mississippi. A graduate of Nugent Center High School in Bolivar County, Pastor Young has earned an Associate Arts Degree in Social Science from Coahoma Junior College in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Social Welfare from Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi. He earned a Master of Divinity Degree and his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Young's commitment to God and to his church has manifested itself in service on all levels: local, state and national. He began his service in the ministry at the Mt. Tenniea Baptist Church in Lamont, Mississippi. He has served as Pastor of the St. John and the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Churches, both located in Greenville, Mississippi. He has prayerfully and faithfully served the membership of the New Hope Baptist Church since February 1980; and
WHEREAS, locally, Pastor Young has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Baptist Seminary, as well as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Bi-racial Baptist Commission. He has served the Seminary as a consultant in Evangelism, Leadership Development, Church Administration and as an instructor in Homiletics. Pastor Young serves on the Ministerial Advisory Board at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi, and has served as an adjunct instructor in Homiletics at Reformed Theological Seminary; and
WHEREAS, presently, Pastor Young serves as President of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi, Inc. In 2009, he was elected Second Vice President of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A., Inc., where he is Regional Vice President for the Southwest Region. He works with the Evangelism Board of the Convention and previously has served as a seminar leader in the Sunday School and NBC Administrators Division of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education; and
WHEREAS, the role of the President of a Black Baptist Convention on the national and state levels has been to define the mission and defend the integrity of a Black Convention. From an historical perspective in Mississippi, state convention agendas were and are articulated by their respective presidents. In 1998, Reverend Dr. Jerry Young was elected by the State Convention as its 14th President and has served in that role to the present. Dr. Young's theme for the convention is "Envisioning the Future, Exceptionally," a theme which he prays will challenge the convention to have a plan and purpose, and a projection for real people who encounter real problems; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Young is married to the former Helen Louise Akins of Starkville, Mississippi. They are the parents of two daughters: Jerien (Picasso) Nelson and Kelli Elizabeth; and the grandparents of one granddaughter, Linzee Elise Nelson; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we note the national influence of this Christian and civic leader, whose commitment to his church and community has brought honor to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute the charitable service and national leadership of Reverend Dr. Jerry Young, Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, longtime President of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi and Second Vice President of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., and extend our best wishes to him and his family as he leads his congregation and his community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Pastor Young and his family, forwarded to the congregation of New Hope Baptist Church and the State and National Baptist Convention and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.