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WHEREAS, Reverend Gerald Dwayne Akrie received his associate’s degree in Theology from Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas and in 1991, Gerald Akrie and his family moved to Pittsburgh to assist Reverend James Norman Walker at West End A.M.E. Zion Church; and,
WHEREAS, he began his journey for the pastorate as an Extorter and became a local preacher for ten years. He was ordained on October 19, 2000 by Bishop Marshall Strickland and was appointed Pastor at St. Paul A.M.E. Church of Carnegie where the church grew under his leadership; and,
WHEREAS, St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church of Carnegie merged with West End A.M.E. Zion Church on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2004 becoming the first church in the Allegheny A.M.E. Zion Conference to merge congregations. Reverend Gerald Akrie became the Pastor of the newly formed West End A.M.E. Zion Church; and,
WHEREAS, in October, 2008, the church was renamed to A.M.E. Grace Community Church. On February 2, 2012, their church building was sold and they purchased property at 3548 Centralia Street debt free and held their first worship service at their new location on February 12, 2012 where they remain today; and,
WHEREAS, finally, in 2012, the members voted to purchase a house near the church which was paid off in 18 months with the assistance of a women’s group in New York who believed in Reverend Akrie’s mission. The house is currently being used to bless a member of the church; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend Reverend Gerald Akrie for his commitment to his faith, his congregation, and the City of Pittsburgh and congratulate him for sixteen years of Pastoring; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Saturday, October 1, 2016 to be “Reverend Gerald Dwayne Akrie Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.