Recognizing the Retirement of the Reverend Doctor Nathaniel Edmond of the Second Baptist Church of Elgin

Floor Speech

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Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the upcoming retirement of the Reverend Doctor Nathaniel Edmond of the Second Baptist Church of Elgin, and to commend his many decades of service to our community. Pastor Nate can begin the next chapter of his life secure in the knowledge that he built a foundation of spiritual leadership that continues to support the youth he mentored, the local entrepreneurs he advised, and the faithful who found comfort in his ministry.

Pastor Nate began his professional life at Alcoa Corporation, rising to a position of high executive leadership. Although committed to excellence in his chosen career, Pastor Nate found time lo assist his church, serving as an Associate Minister, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, spiritual advisor to several church organizations, and coach of many church sports teams. After 31 years in the world of business, Pastor Nate answered a call to the ministry, and on February 20, 2000 was installed as Pastor of Second Baptist Church.

Under his stewardship, Second Baptist Church delivered strong moral leadership and tended to the needs of communities devastated by poverty, disaster, famine and disease. Under his guidance, the church partnered with local schools lo mentor at-risk youth, and led initiatives including the Prison Ministry, ``Operation Joshua'' street ministry, and SAFE Ministry (to break the often multi-generational cycle of domestic violence). In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Second Baptist Church rallied to aid families rendered homeless by the storm's devastation, and in 2007, as part of its effort to support the ongoing ministry of World Vision, extended its compassion lo the people of Africa, helping to build a housing complex for teachers in Tanzania, and pledging continuing monetary support to over 130 Tanzanian children.

This ever-expanding circle of service to others was accompanied by growth in Second Baptist's membership. Pastor Nate can take great satisfaction in the organization that will continue after his retirement, a structure that has evolved in size and sophistication enabling 32 active ministries to flourish and attend to its members' spiritual needs. He can rest easy knowing that under his leadership, Second Baptist Church acquired and constructed a campus sufficient to serve its community for years to come.

Pastor Nate's ministry extended well beyond his church. He served on boards or in other capacities for many important organizations in the Elgin area, including the Alignment Collaborative for Education, Advocate Sherman Hospital, the United Way, Judson University, U-46 School District, the NAACP of Greater Elgin, and the African-American Christian Minister's Alliance. He has been honored for his work by the Rotary Club of Elgin and received the Partner in Peace Award from the Community Crisis Center for Domestic Violence, the City of Elgin's Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, the Lasting Impact Award from Elgin Community College, and the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin Distinguished Citizen Award.

For 26 years, Pastor Nate has ministered to his community and guided a vibrant congregation whose love and generosity reached far beyond its church walls. While he may be ending his service as Pastor, I know Pastor Nate will continue his life's work of service to others. On behalf of the people of Illinois and all Americans, I wish Pastor Nate and his family great happiness and fulfillment in the journey ahead.

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