<BillNo> <Sponsor>
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 320
By Reeves
HJR0320
004622
- 1 -
A RESOLUTION to honor and recognize Reverend Kenneth Hill
on the occasion of his retirement.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the members of this General Assembly should honor
those individuals who have answered a divine call to the ministry and have served with
dedication, vigor, and enthusiasm to perform God's work for their congregations and
communities; and
WHEREAS, one such individual is Reverend Kenneth Hill, pastor of the historic Shorter
Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, who has recently taken his much-deserved
retirement; and
WHEREAS, a devout leader of Christ, Reverend Hill has been an influential leader in
religious ministry for forty-three years and has served the Shorter Chapel AME Church as
pastor for ten years; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Hill was born in Martinsville, Virginia; his father, a World War II
veteran, moved his family to Detroit, Michigan, for greater economic opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Kenneth Hill attended Wayne State University and studied
education, where he was introduced and drawn to social activism, although he knew his heart
truly belonged to ministry and the Wesleyan theology; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Hill went on to earn his Master of Theology degree from Harvard
Divinity School and joined Harambee, in which he was a leader; and
WHEREAS, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Michigan
and returned to Detroit, where he became a part of the Ebenezer AME Church and received
mentorship that would launch his career in ministry; and
- 2 - 004622
WHEREAS, Reverend Hill's ideas in teaching and preaching led to his being named the
Fourth Executive Director of Christian Education in the 13
th
Episcopal District AME Church in
Nashville, where he supervised twenty-seven congregations throughout the district, and
Presiding Elder of the East Tennessee and West Kentucky Annual Conferences of the 13
th
Episcopal District; and
WHEREAS, in these leadership positions, Reverend Kenneth Hill established and
introduced several new ministries, while also making improvements to the AME Church's school
literature, developing a comprehensive guide for teachers, and overall, bringing significant
change to the church; and
WHEREAS, following thirty-three years of astute service as a traveling preacher for the
13
th
Episcopal District AME Church and simultaneously raising his family, Reverend Hill desired
to settle down and requested his own church; and
WHEREAS, in December 2014, Reverend Kenneth Hill was appointed to Shorter Chapel
AME Church in Franklin, and with him at the helm, the congregation grew in their relationship
with Christ through joy, fellowship, and unity, providing each attending member an enthusiastic
church family and community; and
WHEREAS, a profound leader in his community, Reverend Hill has remained a
trailblazer in preserving the history of Franklin and Williamson County, all the while engaging the
community in the process; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, Reverend Hill, alongside Franklin Mayor Ken Moore, founded Unite
Williamson, a nonprofit organization that engages leaders of diverse faith backgrounds to foster
unity and celebrate the community of Williamson County; and
WHEREAS, during his estimable career, Reverend Kenneth Hill has authored numerous
books and taught at several universities and seminaries throughout the Midwest and the South;
and
- 3 - 004622
WHEREAS, his many professional accomplishments aside, Reverend Hill is most
grateful for the love and support of his beloved wife, Dr. Roberta Hill, and their cherished family;
and
WHEREAS, Reverend Hill has continued to demonstrate excellence in his calling as a
man of God; the members of his congregation were proud to call him their pastor, leader, and
friend; and
WHEREAS, a true shepherd of the flock, Reverend Kenneth Hill has an abiding love for
the ministry; his many contributions to his church, his community, and this State are deeply
appreciated, and it is wholly fitting that he be recognized on this special occasion; now,
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that we honor and commend Reverend Kenneth Hill on the occasion of his
retirement, thank him for his meritorious service as pastor of the Shorter Chapel African
Methodist Episcopal Church, and extend to him our best wishes for every future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.