[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 141 (Friday, August 7, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF THE REVEREND DOCTOR NATHANIEL EDMOND OF 
                   THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF ELGIN

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                        HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 7, 2020

  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
upcoming retirement of the Reverend Doctor Nathaniel Edmond of the 
Second Baptist Church of Elgin, and to commend his many decades of 
service to our community. Pastor Nate can begin the next chapter of his 
life secure in the knowledge that he built a foundation of spiritual 
leadership that continues to support the youth he mentored, the local 
entrepreneurs he advised, and the faithful who found comfort in his 
ministry.
  Pastor Nate began his professional life at Alcoa Corporation, rising 
to a position of high executive leadership. Although committed to 
excellence in his chosen career, Pastor Nate found time lo assist his 
church, serving as an Associate Minister, Assistant Sunday School 
Superintendent, spiritual advisor to several church organizations, and 
coach of many church sports teams. After 31 years in the world of 
business, Pastor Nate answered a call to the ministry, and on February 
20, 2000 was installed as Pastor of Second Baptist Church.
  Under his stewardship, Second Baptist Church delivered strong moral 
leadership and tended to the needs of communities devastated by 
poverty, disaster, famine and disease. Under his guidance, the church 
partnered with local schools lo mentor at-risk youth, and led 
initiatives including the Prison Ministry, ``Operation Joshua'' street 
ministry, and SAFE Ministry (to break the often multi-generational 
cycle of domestic violence). In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, 
Second Baptist Church rallied to aid families rendered homeless by the 
storm's devastation, and in 2007, as part of its effort to support the 
ongoing ministry of World Vision, extended its compassion lo the people 
of Africa, helping to build a housing complex for teachers in Tanzania, 
and pledging continuing monetary support to over 130 Tanzanian 
children.
  This ever-expanding circle of service to others was accompanied by 
growth in Second Baptist's membership. Pastor Nate can take great 
satisfaction in the organization that will continue after his 
retirement, a structure that has evolved in size and sophistication 
enabling 32 active ministries to flourish and attend to its members' 
spiritual needs. He can rest easy knowing that under his leadership, 
Second Baptist Church acquired and constructed a campus sufficient to 
serve its community for years to come.
  Pastor Nate's ministry extended well beyond his church. He served on 
boards or in other capacities for many important organizations in the 
Elgin area, including the Alignment Collaborative for Education, 
Advocate Sherman Hospital, the United Way, Judson University, U-46 
School District, the NAACP of Greater Elgin, and the African-American 
Christian Minister's Alliance. He has been honored for his work by the 
Rotary Club of Elgin and received the Partner in Peace Award from the 
Community Crisis Center for Domestic Violence, the City of Elgin's 
Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, the Lasting Impact Award 
from Elgin Community College, and the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin 
Distinguished Citizen Award.
  For 26 years, Pastor Nate has ministered to his community and guided 
a vibrant congregation whose love and generosity reached far beyond its 
church walls. While he may be ending his service as Pastor, I know 
Pastor Nate will continue his life's work of service to others. On 
behalf of the people of Illinois and all Americans, I wish Pastor Nate 
and his family great happiness and fulfillment in the journey ahead.

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