Explanation
Title
To honor and recognize the Rev. Dr. Jesse L. Wood for many years of distinguished service to the Columbus community and to designate Sunday April 25, 2004 as Rev. Dr. Jesse L. Wood Day in the City of Columbus
Body
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Jesse L. Wood is an inspired preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is an accomplished educator, teacher, political organizer, scholar and servant who believes living is about helping others; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Wood's extensive educational background includes: Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Central State University; Doctor of Ministry, United Theological Seminary; Master of Divinity, Andover Newton Theological School with special emphasis on Parish Ministry; Master of Arts, Educational Administration, certified as a principal at the elementary and junior high school levels, The Ohio State University; Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, Central State University; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Wood was raised in a Christian home environment and was licensed to preach in 1980 and ordained to the full work of the Christian ministry in 1981 by his father, Reverend Dr. A. Wilson Wood, esteemed pastor of the Bethany Baptist Church. Reverend Wood's ministerial experience includes: associate pastor and special assistant to the pastor, Bethany Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio; Interim Pastor, Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Interim Pastor and Pastor of Love Zion Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio, where he has served for the past 18 years; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Wood's extensive background in community service and membership in many organizations includes, but is not limited to: Ford Fellow; Benjamin E. Mays, Samuel DeWitt Proctor and Charles E. Booth Fellow; past member, Board of Trustees, Central State University; past member, Board of Trustees, Columbus Museum of Art; past member, Board of Trustees, Franklin Park Conservatory District; member, Board of Trustees, one church, one child black adoption program; past member, Franklin County ADAMH board; past coordinator, Columbus Baptist Pastor's Conference, annual Christmas Cantata; legislative agent, Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association; past president, Columbus Baptist Pastor's Conference; affiliated faculty member, Trinity Lutheran Seminary; member, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc; member, American Baptist Churches; member, Ohio Baptist General Convention; president, Board of Trustees, Preventative Healthcare Consultants, Inc., member, Operation PUSH; member, Rainbow Coalition; member, the NAACP; member, Columbus Urban League; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Reverend Wood has received numerous awards and civic acknowledgements to include: Inductee, Martin Luther King, Jr., Board of Preachers, The Morehouse College; Outstanding Men of America, Jaycees; Who's Who in Elementary Education; Science Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year. Reverend Wood has also been a candidate for the Ohio Senate and the Columbus City Council; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Wood recently served as Lobbyist for Central State University, and currently represents four religious bodies as their Legislative Agent. He is well versed and astute in civic and political concerns. He has also served as Adjunct Professor in several local religious institutions; and,
WHEREAS, Reverend Wood is one of three local ministers who piloted the National Community Centered Banking program. This program has revolutionized the banking industry, and has enhanced the banking relationship between the African-American church, the African-American community and banking institutions. He is also one of four local ministers who have developed the Unity Partnership, Inc., an Economic Empowerment resource program.
WHEREAS, Reverend Wood is founder and president of The Love Academy, a non-profit community based learning center that integrates the arts and academics into a holistic learning environment. Through this effort the J. L. Wood Learning Center, a pre-school program and the J. E. Wood Cultural Arts Institute, serving students in an after-school program was created. The program has been cited as one of eight model childcare centers in the county; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Wood was instrumental in receiving a grant for a HUD 202 Housing Project for 25 handicapped housing units, known as Love Zion Manor. He has led the Love Zion family in a complete renovation of its sanctuary and nave. Through a creative approach, Reverend Wood has been able to install a new basement linoleum floor, completely painted the Fellowship Hall, installed a new roof over the chapel of the church and made improvements to ceiling and walls, installed a new fire alarm smoke detection system throughout the building, and installed two new handicap accessible restrooms at no cost to the church; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Wood was born in East Gulf, West Virginia to Pastor A. Wilson Wood and the late Gertrude Wood. He shares his ministry with his lovely wife, the former Joan Elaine Evans who also serves as Executive Director of The Love Academy, Artistic Director of the J. E. Wood Cultural Arts Institute and Director of the Arts Ministry at Love Zion; and
WHEREAS, Reverend and Mrs. Wood are the very proud parents of five young adult children: Arnika, Michael, Qwann, Walton and Zula, and grandparents of six grandchildren: Khalil, Chanel, Brianna, Micah, Cailyn and Xavier; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Wood is a real inspiration to others. He has motivated many persons, young and old, and strives every day to show others how Christ can be real and meaningful in their lives.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: that this Council does hereby honor and recognize Rev. Dr. Jesse L. Wood for many years of distinguished service to the Columbus community and does hereby designate Sunday April 25, 2004, as Rev. Dr. Jesse L. Wood Day in the City of Columbus.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that a copy of this Resolution be presented to Reverend Dr. Jesse L. Wood as a token of our esteem.