Title
Pastor C.R. McDuffy Ceremonial Street Name Signage - District 8
Description
Request City Council Approval to install ceremonial street name signage recognizing Pastor C.R. McDuffy at the intersection of 13th Avenue and Buckeye Road.
Report
Summary
In April 2000, Reverend (Rev.) C. R. McDuffy became the Pastor of the St. John Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix, AZ. In addition to his pastoral duties, he began to get involved with the community at large. He immediately began working with Mr. Clovis Campbell Jr., Arizona State Representative, District 16, and other Legislative administrators on various political issues. Adding his religious influence on our state, county, and city needs that would be influential to the community. He was a supporter of St. Mary’s Food Bank and food box distributions to the homeless and hungry families of our community and other residents throughout the City of Phoenix.
Pastor C.R. McDuffy and the St. John Institutional Baptist Church congregation hosted the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America’s Winter Board Meeting in 2020 along with Rev. Dr. Bernard Black, and Rev. Ottley Holmes in the Phoenix area. Pastors from California, Texas, Oklahoma and other parts of the United States came to Phoenix and experienced a wonderful session because of Pastor C. R. McDuffy. He was instrumental in bringing a large financial impact to our city’s economical position, businesses, and the local economy. Pastor C.R. McDuffy became the first moderator of the Zion Rest District Association of Arizona and Pastors' Counsel Leader. Later, after the passing of Rev. Dr. Bernard Black, he became the moderator of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Arizona. Pastor C.R. McDuffy worked with other local pastors and ministers to bring the National Missionary Baptist Convention to the City of Phoenix which brought a tremendous financial impact to it. Churches and their parishioners from all over the United States came to enjoy and bask in the Valley of the Sun. He was the Vice President of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America’s Ecumenical Affairs. Pastor C.R. McDuffy was an evangelist, teacher, preacher, humanitarian and a great leader. Youth thrived because of his innovative ideas of teaching them the Word of God, keeping them engaged with wholesome activities, excursions to other cities, sports activities, and educational advantages they might not have been aware of. Because of his contributions, he was honored at a ceremony held by the Desert Mashie Golf Club Association in Goodyear, Arizona.
Pastor C.R. McDuffy and the church ministries engaged in Prison Ministry, continued with an on-site breakfast Ministry to benefit the community with a healthy breakfast on Sunday mornings. Transportation was provided by the church to accommodate the attendees. He was an advocate of teaching a man to fish rather than just giving him a fish. Bible study was an important and essential part of this Sunday morning tradition. Not only were participants filled with warm food, but they were also filled with a word from the gospel. Many community services were offered to the men who joined in these worship services that the church offered. The result was that many were successfully returned to society and productive citizens. Pastor C.R. McDuffy was an encourager and supporter of two churches in Africa. He worked to secure funds for their advancement in spreading the work of God, teaching the bible and supporting their people economically.
Back To Life Men’s Restorative Ministry was also an essential service. Many of the men who participated in this ministry found new life from its teachings, some found lifelong partners in marriage and realized that they were called to teach the Word of God to others. They were licensed and tutored as ministers of the Gospel by Pastor C. R. McDuffy. He received an Honorary Doctrine Award from the National Missionary Convention of America, and in 2015 he received his master’s degree of Theology at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary of Phoenix, Arizona.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pastor C.R. McDuffy found an innovative way to carry on with the Lord’s work. St. John Institutional Baptist Church family members and visitors did not miss a Sunday morning Worship Service, sermon, or Wednesday evening bible study because Pastor C.R. McDuffy conducted these services at the church parking lot while parishioners remained in their vehicles, eliminating the threat of spreading the virus to the congregation.
The ceremonial street name sign will be flag mounted on the existing signpost at the southeast corner of 13th Avenue and Buckeye Road. See Attachment A for an illustration of the proposed sign.
Financial Impact
The fabrication and installation costs of the ceremonial sign will be funded by St. John Institutional Baptist Church.
Location
13th Avenue and Buckeye Road
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Street Transportation Department.