Union County commissioners adopt resolution honoring Bishop Gardein Jr.

The Union County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution honoring Bishop Gardein Jr. for three decades of leadership with Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church and community service.

The board read Resolution 26-142, which notes that Bishop Gardein became pastor-elect of Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church on Dec. 3, 1995, has led the congregation for 30 years, served on the Union Regional Medical Center Board, acted as chaplain for the Monroe Police Department and the North Carolina Highway Patrol, founded the Union County Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet and the New Covenant Community Development Center, and received the Presidential Volunteer Award in 2022. Chair read the resolution text and asked for a motion to adopt; a commissioner moved the resolution and the board approved it by voice vote.

Why it matters: the resolution formally recognizes a local faith leader’s long-term civic and community contributions, and the county used the public meeting to place on record those recognitions.

During the presentation Chair said, "Thank you for all of your service to our community, our county, the city of Monroe," and invited Bishop Gardein to the front for recognition. Several commissioners also praised his service and urged the community to emulate his example.

Following the formal reading and adoption, the board recorded the action as adopted in March 2026. No roll-call or numerical vote tally was provided in the transcript; the motion was approved by voice vote with members saying "Aye." The resolution text read into the record is now part of the meeting minutes for March 2026.