WHEREAS, the Reverend Jerome Hancock, pastor emeritus of Southside Church of the Nazarene in Chesterfield County, has led the church for 28 fruitful years, overseeing a period of sustained growth and great expansion of the church's ministries; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Hancock, who was called to lead Southside Church of the Nazarene in January 1987, is from West Virginia and earned a bachelor's degree, and later a master's degree, from Trevecca Nazarene University; immediately after receiving his undergraduate degree, he began his life's work in ministry; and

WHEREAS, the first three years of Jerome Hancock's ministry were in the Commonwealth—he was minister of music and youth at Calvary Church of the Nazarene in Northern Virginia; he then was called to churches in Kansas and Texas before returning to the Commonwealth as pastor of Southside Church of the Nazarene; and

WHEREAS, as leader of Southside Church of the Nazarene, Jerome Hancock has guided the church and its congregation through several stages of growth, including relocating the vibrant faith community to a more central location in Chesterfield County; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Hancock also has helped create a multisite church campus and develop a wide-ranging ministry for Southside Church of the Nazarene; the church's partners include Guardian Christian Academy, the X-Zone community center, and Footsteps Christian Counseling service; and

WHEREAS, in the years that Jerome Hancock has been pastor at Southside Church of the Nazarene, church attendance has risen; currently, about 1,300 people attend weekend worship services, and an average of 575 people take part in weekly small group gatherings; and

WHEREAS, under Jerome Hancock's leadership, Southside Church of the Nazarene has worked to be a force for good for Chesterfield County and the region, setting an example by the way church members pray, love, and live; and

WHEREAS, during his quarter-century at Southside Church of the Nazarene, Jerome Hancock has striven to lead the church and minister to the needs of all who worship there by challenging and encouraging his members to live a life of purpose—through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and mission; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Reverend Jerome Hancock, pastor emeritus of Southside Church of the Nazarene in Chesterfield County, hereby be commended for his 28 years of service and leadership to the church community and the Chesterfield County region during a time of sustained growth and expansion of the church's ministries; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Jerome Hancock as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect and admiration for his leadership, dedication, and service to the people of his church and the community at large.