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Proclamation honoring Rev. James and Dr. Sheila Johnson Hunt on 25 years of ministry with First Baptist Penn Hills and in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Western Penn Hills Community Action, Inc.
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WHEREAS, Pastor James E. Hunt and Dr. Sheila Johnson Hunt are trailblazers, holding the distinction of being the first clergy couple in an African American Baptist church; where the pastor's wife was an ordained Baptist clergy and an executive pastor. Rev. James Hunt and Dr. Sheila Johnson Hunt were licensed and ordained by Ebenezer Baptist Church (Pittsburgh) under the leadership of Rev. Dr. J. Van Alfred Winsett; and
WHEREAS, a native of York, Pennsylvania, Rev. James Hunt received his bachelor's degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his graduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and is a doctoral candidate at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He is a former college administrator at the Community College of Allegheny County. He has served as a campus minister and director of urban and cross-cultural ministries for the Coalition for Christian Outreach. He has spent his time serving on many boards including the Afro-American Music Institute, Family Guidance, Center for Urban Biblical Ministries (CUBM) and the National Human Services board; and
WHEREAS, Rev. James Hunt is the founder and board president of the Western Penn Hills Community Action Inc. (WPHCA) WPHCA has prepared over 600 teens through its job readiness program to enter the workforce. Through its entrepreneur program, WPHCA has prepared teens to become successful small business owners. In addition, the WPHCA's technology programs have assisted in removing the digital divide within underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, a native of Dayton, Ohio, Dr. Sheila Johnson Hunt received her graduate and undergraduate degree from Western Kentucky University and went on to receive her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and her D.Min. degree from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She has over 25 years of experience as a college professor/administrator. During her tenure as leader of New Choices/New Options Program at the Community College of Allegheny County, she assisted over 1,500 women in crises to become emotionally and economically self-sufficient. The Rites of Passage Curriculum she developed has been recognized as one of the most effective programs in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sheila Johnson Hunt has served as a conductor, and composer/arranger in residence for numerous citywide and national convention choirs. Her current and 7th recording "Move with God" has received national and international airplay, and her original composition "Jesus The Problem Solver" was included in the GMWA 2013 songbook and also recorded by the International GMWA Mass Choir;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council does hereby congratulate and honor Rev. James and Dr. Sheila Johnson Hunt on 25 years of ministry with First Baptist Penn Hills and in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Western Penn Hills Community Action, Inc.