IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION honoring Dr. George W. Westlake, Jr., Pastor Emeritus of the Sheffield Family Life Center on the occasion of fifty years of service to the ministry.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21189, March 7, 2023
INTRODUCED BY DaRon McGee, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Dr. George W. Westlake, Jr., Pastor Emeritus of the Sheffield Family Life Center (Assemblies of God) in Kansas City, Missouri, has devoted fifty years of his life to the ministry at Sheffield Family Life Center, serving as a faithful shepherd and leader to his congregation; and,
WHEREAS, under Dr. Westlake’s leadership, Sheffield became the largest truly multi-racial congregation in the Midwest, with people from every African and Latin American and most European and Asian nations attending the church; and,
WHEREAS, the Assemblies of God Black Fellowship presented Dr. Westlake with the first Robert Harrison Award, stating "George Westlake was for diversity before diversity was popular"; and,
WHEREAS, the church is multi-racial in every area and people attend on Sundays from over a 50-mile radius, with an average weekly attendance of over 5,000 and over 7,000 members when Dr. Westlake stepped back as Senior Pastor; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Westlake has demonstrated a deep commitment to his community, working to improve the lives of those around him through his dedication to service and charitable works; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Westlake holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, and a Master of Divinity Equivalency and Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Westlake has taught doctoral classes on "Theology of Ministry" at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri, and has also written a textbook for the Global University titled "Daniel and Revelation," which is used in bible colleges in over eighty countries of the world and which has been translated into over forty different languages; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Westlake has served as Dean and Instructor in Bible, Theology, and Biblical Languages for the Central Bible College - Kansas City Extension and later for Sheffield School of the Bible; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Westlake has served the Lord faithfully for fifty years in ministry at Sheffield Family Life Center, touching countless lives with his passion for diversity, evangelism, and teaching of the Word of God; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Westlake has inspired countless individuals to live lives of purpose and faith, instilling in them the values of kindness, compassion, and generosity; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Westlake has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of his congregation and has touched the lives of so many in his community through his unwavering commitment to ministry; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the County Legislature does hereby proclaim its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Dr. George W. Westlake for his fifty years of outstanding service and ministry at Sheffield Family Life Center; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, does hereby honor Dr. Westlake’s dedication, devotion, and unwavering faith and offers sincere congratulations on this momentous occasion.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ______________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 21189 of March 7, 2023, was duly passed on March 7, 2023 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ______9_________ Nays ______0________
Abstaining ____0_____ Absent _____0_______
________________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature