2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 125
BY SENATOR BARROW
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Pastor Jesse Bernard Bilberry Jr. upon his retirement after 35 years of pastoral
care and to congratulate this "Man of God" for his anointed and exemplary service
to mankind in fulfillment of his God-given assignment.
WHEREAS, he is the oldest of ten siblings, born on May 12, 1929, in Marion,
Louisiana, to the union of Rev. Jesse Bilberry Sr. and Joe B. Bilberry; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Bilberry Jr., at the early age of fourteen, confessed Christ and
was baptized at the Blooming Grove Baptist Church in Farmerville, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, he received an honorable discharge in 1953 from the United States
Army after having fought in the Korean War, between his educational attainments; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Bilberry Jr., attained a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies and
English from Southern University in 1951; an Master of Arts in Education from Louisiana
State University in 1957; an Master of Arts in Theology in 1988 and a Doctorate of
Theology in 1990 from Christian Bible College; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Bilberry Jr. wedded Verta Lee Hamilton on December 23, 1953,
is celebrating sixty-six years and praying for more; and
WHEREAS, to this joyful union was born a daughter, Cassandra Gail Bilberry, who
because she was obediently raised in accordance to God's child-rearing plans, the result is
a God-fearing daughter who honors God with her life; and
WHEREAS, at twenty-six he became a trailblazer, becoming the youngest black
principal of a school in the state, taking over at the segregated Tensas Rosenwald High
School in St. Joseph, Louisiana, from 1956-1969; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Bilberry's career as an administrator included working in various
positions such as the Director of the Freshmen Complex and in the Office of High School
Relations at Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and
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WHEREAS, Pastor Bilberry Jr. accepted his call to the ministry in 1981 and accepted
the pastorate calling of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church on January 16, 1984; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Bilberry Jr. said "Teaching and pastoral care are among my
strengths as a pastor" which he proved through his many awards, positions, and
accomplishments earned during his pastoral service; and
WHEREAS, he has been recognized as Minister of the Year by the Early Risers
Kiwanis Club, is a two-time recipient of M.A. Tally Walk on the Water Award from the
Dept. of Christian Education Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist
Convention, USA, Inc., been instrumental in building the Fourth District Congress of
Christian Education while moving Christian Education from an idea to reality, awarded
Frontiersman Award for leading missionary journeys to Dominica, West Indies, for twenty
years and the directors' Mr. Christian Education Award from the Sunday School Publishing
Board of National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and received numerous awards for his
administrative, educational, and teaching skills; and
WHEREAS, the members he shepherds are known for saying, "We thank God for
his gift to Mount Pilgrim in the person of our pastor, Jesse Bernard Bilberry Jr."; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Jesse B. Bilberry Jr. stands as a tall timber exuding Godliness,
humility, commitment, dedication, and perseverance as evidenced by his life of service.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend Pastor Jesse Bernard Bilberry Jr. upon his retirement after 35 years of pastoral
care and to congratulate this Man of God for his anointed and exemplary service for God's
kingdom.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Pastor Jesse B. Bilberry Jr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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