Title
To recognize Reverend Doctor Joseph Freeman, Jr. for his 50 years of service to the East Mount Olivet Baptist Church and to the Columbus community.
Body
WHEREAS, Rev. Freeman united with the East Mt. Olivet Baptist Church the Sunday after Easter, 1957, as a candidate for baptism. He served as Superintendent of Sunday School and was ordained as Deacon in August, 1957. One year after his conversion and uniting with East Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, he acknowledged his calling to the ministry. On Sunday, June 29, 1958, Rev. Freeman was licensed to preach the Gospel; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Freeman served as Assistant to Pastor I.P. Fears until October 19, 1958, at which time Rev. Fears resigned and recommended Rev. Freeman to become Pastor. The church accepted the recommendation and called Rev. Freeman to serve as Pastor of East Mt. Olivet Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Freeman actively participates in numerous roles in the Community, the City, the State and the Nation. Some of the positions he has held over the past 49 years include General Secretary of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Association for nine years; First Vice-Moderator of Mt. Calvary Association; General Secretary of the Ohio Baptist State convention; Moderator of the Mt. Calvary Association, which he held thirty years and now serves as he President Emeritus. He was also instrumental in the formation of the United Missionary Baptist State Convention of Ohio, established in 2002 where he serves as executive Secretary; and
WHEREAS, on November 27, 1993, which was his sixty-first birthday, Rev. Freeman was united in marriage to Priscilla J. Taylor; and
WHEREAS, on Saturday, November 1, 2008, family and friends of East Mt. Olivet Baptist church will join together in celebration of the Rev. Dr. Joseph Freeman Jr. to honor his 50 years of service; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That we do hereby congratulate Rev. Dr. Freeman on his 50 years of service to the East Mount Olivet Baptist Church and to the Columbus community and do recognize his accomplishments as a source of pride and an excellent reflection not only on East Mount Olivet Baptist Church, but also on the entire community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we do join with the community on November 1, 2008 in celebration of Rev. Dr. Freeman's life and legacy.