Bill Text: VA SJR351 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Reverend Rudolph Bobby Lewis, Sr.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-19 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ351ER) [SJR351 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-SJR351-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Reverend Rudolph Bobby Lewis, Sr., the senior pastor of New Light Full Gospel Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, who served communities throughout the Commonwealth and the world, died on October 16, 2018; and
WHEREAS, a native of Loris, South Carolina, Rudolph Lewis attended Finklea High School and graduated from Howard University, where he first answered the call to the ministry, becoming one of six out of his parents' ten children to do so; and
WHEREAS, Rudolph Lewis served as the national youth president of the First United Church of Jesus Christ before establishing a First United Church of Jesus Christ in Portsmouth, which he pastored for 14 years; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, Rudolph Lewis joined New Light Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, and under his visionary leadership, the church grew in both faith and numbers, developing many new ministries to strengthen the congregation and increase outreach to the community; and
WHEREAS, Rudolph Lewis also led New Light Baptist Church to become affiliated with Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International; in 1998, he was ordained as a bishop and subsequently appointed as presiding bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Covenant Partners program; and
WHEREAS, Rudolph Lewis preached at events throughout the United States, in 13 African countries, and in Israel, and he guided and mentored countless pastors, ministers, and community leaders around the world; and
WHEREAS, Rudolph Lewis will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his devoted wife of 54 years, Maurine; his children, April, Rudolph, Jr., Estrelda, and Vicki, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend Rudolph Bobby Lewis, Sr., a respected spiritual leader in Virginia Beach; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend Rudolph Bobby Lewis, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
