CE National Honors are designed to encourage and honor faithful servants in ministry. Each year various awards are given to individuals and/or ministries deserving of the honor.
Download the Faithfulness Award Form
The deadline for submitting a nomination for a CE National Faithfulness Award is February 13th.
2018 Honors
Faithfulness Awards
Bobbie Ridenour
Brenda Koppenhaver
Galen Wiley
Lee Seese
Rick and Mindy Barlow
2017 Honors
Faithfulness Awards
Dr. Henri Cher Aime
Haiti
Eric and Kim Landes
Grace Community Church, Goshen, Indiana
Gay Stayer
Community Cornerstone Church, Loganville, Pennsylvania
Pastor Don Rough and “Peggy” Basset
Liberty Grace, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Jim Robinson
Community Grace Brethren Church, Warsaw, Indiana
John Mike Cressler
Susquehanna Grace Community Church, Wrightsville, Pennsylvania
Josh and Margaret Harig
Echo Valley Grace Brethren Church, Fremont, Pennsylvania
Larry Smithwick
Peninsula Grace Brethren Church, Soldotna, Alaska
Nancy Johnson
Grace Fellowship Church, Avis, Pennsylvania
Pastor Jon Damon
Gateway Church, Parkesburg, Pennsylvania
2016 Honors
Faithfulness Awards
Jay Oliver
First Brethren Church in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
Dottie Sollenberger
Waynesboro Grace in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
Janet Minnix
Ghent Grace Brethren Church in Roanoke, Virginia
Pastor Randy Haulk
Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church, Meyersdale, Pennsylvania
Janice Burkholder
Grace Church, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
2015 Honors
Faithfulness Awards
The Ferguson Family
Grace Brethren Church of Pinellas Park, Florida
Janet Minnix
Ghent Grace Brethren Church in Roanoke, Virginia
Janice Burkholder
Grace Church, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Ken and Debbie Kear
Grace Church, Bath Campus, Akron, Ohio
Mary Diaz
Community Grace Brethren Church, Whittier, California
Mike Sine
Grace Community Church, Frederick, Maryland
Pastor Randy Haulk
Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church, Meyersdale, Pennsylvania
Ron and Willa Henry
Winona Lake (Indiana) Grace Brethren Church
Ruth Metcalf
Woodville Grace Brethren Church, Mansfield, Ohio
Tammy Hanna
Pike Grace Brethren Church in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Walt Fetzer
Grace Church, Wooster, Ohio
2014 Honors
Faithfulness Awards
Beverly Adams
Grace Brethren Church, Norwalk, California
Lou Dean
Grace Church of Orange, Orange, California
Mike Fisher
Community Grace Brethren Church, Warsaw, Indiana
George and Cindy Goetz
Community Grace Church, Greencastle, Pennsylvania
Joe and Mary Jane Grube
Grace Brethren Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Bill and Mary Kellerman
Grace Church at Town Center, Marietta, Georgia
Sharon Madonna
Grace Community Church, Frederick, Maryland
Paul and Jan MaGill
Vicksburg Grace Brethren Church, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
Dorothy McMillen
West Kittanning Grace Brethren Church, Kittanning, Pennsylvania
Steve and Donella Meloche
Grace Brethren Church, San Diego, California
Ron and Dee Muir
Grace Brethren Church, Norwalk, California
Faye Mutschler
Echo Valley Grace Brethren Church, Tremont, Pennsylvania
Keith Pruner
Southview Grace Brethren Church, Ashland, Ohio
Dave and Lorie Purdy
Grace Church of Greater Akron, Norton, Ohio
Chris Selley
Maumee Valley Grace Brethren Church, Maumee, Ohio
Ken and Bonnie Siegrist
Grace Brethren Church, Pinellas Park, Florida
Fred and Wilma Sorrick
Lehigh Valley Grace Brethren Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Glen and Karen Weaver
Grace Brethren Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Tom and Allene Williams
Echo Valley Grace Brethren Church, Tremont, Pennsylvania
2013 Honors
Faithfulness Awards
Lori Bryant
Community of Grace Church, Richmond, Virginia
Karen Carman
Grace Polaris Church, Worthington, Ohio
Debbie Harten
Grace Brethren Church, Lanham, Maryland
Mary Misner
Grace Brethren Church, Wooster, Ohio
Carolyn Nunez
Community Grace Brethren Church, Warsaw, Indiana
Jonathan Pacella
Gateway Church, Parkesburg, Pennsylvania
Victor Pearce
Grace Brethren Church of Norwalk, Norwalk, California
Gene and Jackie Pinkard
Grace Brethren Church, Lanham, Maryland
Tim and Jill Placeway
Grace Brethren Church, Palmyra, Pennsylvania
Florence Platt
Grace Family Church, New Holland, Pennsylvania
Barb Sampson
Grace Brethren Church, Lanham, Maryland
David and Joanne Tubbs
Grace Brethren Church, Pinellas Park, Florida
Church of the Year
Wooster Grace Brethren Church
Wooster, Ohio
Pastor Bob Fetterhoff
Living ON MISSION
Pastor Bill Smitm
Brooksville, Florida
David Martinez
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Impacting the Rising Generation
Pastor Paul Mutchler
Lnaham, Maryland
Dr. Don DeYoung
Winona Lake, Indiana
Brian Orme
West Milton, Ohio
Reaching Neglected People
David Rice
Lititz, Pennsylvania
Dan O’Deens
Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Tom and Donna Miller
Winona Lake, Indiana
Equipping Biblical Leadership
Pastor Dan Cosention
Kendallville, Indiana
Pastor Knute Larson
Sawyer, Michigan
2012 Honors
Church of the Year
Grace Community Church
Goshen, IN
Pastor Jim Brown, senior pastor
Those Living Life ON MISSION
Cathy Fisher
Powell, Ohio
Wes and Mavis Miller
Rochester, Michigan
Pastor Stephen Joyce
About My Father’s Business
Washington, DC
Dean Risser
Ashland, Ohio
Those Impacting the Rising Generation
Pastor Mark Artrip
Powell, Ohio
Pastor Nick Cleveland
Wooster, Ohio
Tami Van Hove
Ashland, Ohio
Rick and connie Strapello
Camp Mantowagon
Saxton, Pennsylvania
Those Reaching Neglected People
Dr. John Davis
Winona Lake, Indiana
Pastor Vic Young
Fountain of Life Bible Church
Johnson City, Tennessee
Pastor Sam and Betty Baer
Victory Mountain Grace Brethren Chapel
Hyden, Kentucky
Bob Roth
Linden Health Clinic
Columbus, Ohio
Teachers of Biblical Truth in Any Culture
Pastor Tony Livigni
Akron, Ohio
Dr. Wayne and Dorothy Beaver
Coeur D’Alene, Idaho
Dr. Homer Kent
Winona Lake, Indiana
Pastor Irving Clark
Grace Brethren Church
Clinton, Maryland
Faithfulness Awards
Harold Bomberger
Grace Family Church
New Holland, Pennsylvania
Lee Shaffer
Grace Family Church
New Holland, Pennsylvania
Dan and Ellen Siegrist
Grace Brethren Church
Pinellas Park, Florida
Pastor Darrell Anderson
Grace Brethren Church
Delaware, Ohio
Dan and Sharon Cameron
Grace Brethren Church
Brooksville, Florida
Billie Lang
Grace Brethren Church
Delaware, Ohio
Ralph Fitz
Grace Brethren Church
Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
Jennifer Acosta
Urban Hope Community Church
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sandi McLure
Gateway Grace Community Church
Parkesburg, Pennsylvania
2011 Honors
Church of the Year
Grace Church of Greater Akron
Bath Campus
Pastor Jeff Bogue
Akron,Ohio
Children’s Ministry Award
Pastor Jon Rauch
Grace Community Church
Goshen, Ind.
Men’s Ministry
Grace Community Church
Pastor Jim Brown
Goshen, Ind.
Mercy Ministries
Dan and Gay O’Deans
Community Church
Parkesburg, Pa.
Youth Sponsor of the Year Award
Jim and Laura Ummpleby
Grace Brethren Church
Osceolo, Ind.
Senior Medal of Ministry
Mary and Jane Gearhart
Community Grace Brethren Church
Everett, Pa.
Servanthood Award
David and Del-Rae Rice
Grace Brethren Church
Lititz, Pa.
Servanthood Award
Sharon Feather
Grace Community Chapel
Mukilteo, Wash.
Teamwork Award
Knepper Family
Grace Brethren Church
York, Pa.
Turn Around Church of the Year
Grace Community Church
Pastor Philip Sparling
Auburn, Ca.
Faithfulness Awards
Barry Deetscreek
Pike Grace Brethren Church
Johnstown, Pa.Charles Ashman
Grace Brethren Church
Winona Lake, Ind.Vickie Darrough
Grace Church
Powell, OhioLarry Leonhardt
First Christian Church
Kendallville, Ind.Marian Robison
Grace Brethren Church
Wooster, OhioPaul Horst
New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church
Myerstown, Pa.John Waite
Grace Brethren Church
Martinsburg, Pa.Bob and Peggy Richards
Grace Brethren Church
Pinellas Park, Fl.Al and Janelle Swalley
Grace Brethren Church of Columbus
Worthington, OhioDave and Carol Johnson
Grace Brethren Church
Toppenish, Wash.
2010 Honors
Youth Sponsor of the Year Award
Timothy Lansing
Grace Brethren Church, Norwalk, Calif.
Coordinates all youth events, teaches Sunday School and Wed. nights, has one on one discipleship, and occasionally fills the pulpit on Sunday mornings.
Developing Youth Leadership
Grace Church, Lititz, Pa.
Doug Kegarise
Youth Ministry of the Year Award
First Christian Church
Kendallville, Ind.
Pastor Dan Cosentino
The Teamwork Award
Dr. Randy Smith
Grace Church
Sebring, Fl.
Effective Children’s Ministry
Laura Lee
Hope Community Church
Raleigh, N.C.
Church of the Year
Grace Church of Greater Akron- Bath Campus
Pastor Jeff Bogue
Akron, Ohil
Turn-Around Church of the Year
Conococheague Grace Brethren Church
Pastor Paul Hutchison
Greencastle, Pa.
Creative Outreach Ministry Idea
Western Reserve Grace Church
Pastor Jason Haymaker
Macedonia, Ohio
Ten thousand kids, a hundred thousand Easter eggs in Macedonia
Men’s Ministry Focus
Grace Community Church
Pastor Jim Brown
Goshen, Ind.
Faithfulness Award
Charles Ashman
Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches
Winona Lake, Ind.
2009 Honors
National Pastoral or Church Staff Member of the Year
Pastor Mike Brubaker
Grace Community Church, Frederick, MD
For his faithfulness and vision in the area of Spiritual growth, Outreach ministries, Biblical training and teaching.
Outreach Idea of the Year Award
Grace Church Akron, Ohio
iCare Initiative
The Durwood & Claudine Brooks National Bible Quiz Coach Award
Melinda Cosentino
Grace Brethren Church, Canton, OH
She has taken a non-existent quiz team to one that is exciting and thriving. Her heart is focused on the students learning God’s Word.
CE Idea of the Year
Field Focus Teams
Grace Brethren Church Winona Lake, IN
Senior Medal of Ministry Award — Graciously Sponsored by Grace Village, Winona Lake, IN Jerry and Jan Kelley
Grace Brethren Church, Simi Valley, CA
They faithfully serve the local church by shepherding the “Keen-agers”, teaching Sunday School, hosting a mid-week Bible study, heading up a nursing home ministry, and providing comfort and healing to hurting people.
Youth Sponsor of the Year Award
Joyce Bachman
Kendallville, IN
Joyce has been sharing Christ with the youth of Noble County for over 25 years! She disciples and leads a girls small group. She prays faithfully for our young people.
Faithfulness Award Recipients
Pastor Bob Combs–Grace Church Norton, OH
For the 36 years of faithful service to the people at Grace Church and for his dedication to see others come to know Christ!
Greg McNeal–Kendallville, IN
For his faithfulness as a church elder, Jr. High Sunday School teacher, and helper where needed. For pointing others towards Christ.
Helen Diffenderfer–Susquehanna GBC Wrightsville, PA
Helen and Warren helped start this church 40 years ago. She remains faithful, praying and giving wise counsel, always pointing to God’s grace and His plan.
Benny Zakaski–Grace Brethren Church, Canton, OH
Benny has taught Sunday school to young people for over 50 years. He has a desire to see other know Jesus, and even transports un-churched kids to services.
2008 Honors
National Pastoral or Church Staff Member of the Year
Pastor Gene Witzky
Woodville Grace Brethren Church Mansfield, OH
For his faithfulness and vision in the area of Spiritual growth, Outreach ministries, Biblical training and teaching.
Outreach Idea of the Year Award
Peninsula Grace Brethren Church, Soldotna, Alaska
Neighbor 2 Neighbor
“Coats 4 Community” “Care 2 Run”
The Durwood & Claudine Brooks National Bible Quiz Coach Award
Billy Baden
Grace Brethren Church, Waldorf, MD
Having coached quizzing for the past 10 years, Billy exemplifies Christ-likeness by helping students commit scripture to memory.
CE Idea of the Year
Study Buddies Tutoring
Woodville Grace Brethren Church, Mansfield, OH
Senior Medal of Ministry Award — Graciously Sponsored by Grace Village, Winona Lake, IN Dwight & Donna Stair
Grace Church, Norton, OH
They faithfully serve the local church by leading a small group, teaching, serving on the elder board, and mission commission. Many have come to Christ through their prayers and faithful witness.
Youth Sponsor of the Year Award
Patti Lehman
Grace Church, Lititz, PA
Consistent Christian role model, leads a small group Bible study, has created an atmosphere of service among students. She also runs a coffee bar serving hundreds of drinks each week.
Faithfulness Award Recipients
John Glore–Echo Valley, Grace Brethren Church Tremont, PA
For the many years of faithfulness as a deacon, heading up the trustees and building maintenance committee, and involvement in the music ministry.
Allen Sattizahn–Echo Valley Grace Brethren Church, Tremont, PA
For his faithfulness as song leader, heading up meals, and helping with Awana. Always ready and willing to help wherever needed.
Sue Thornton–Peninsula, Grace Brethren Church, Soldotna, AK
For her 22 years of faithfulness teaching Sunday School. Her involvement in SMM and Awana, worship, Sunday refreshments, and a ministry of encouragement.
Mark Montel–Community Grace, Warsaw, IN
For his faithfulness to the body by providing consistent service with set up for various ministries, and always having a willingness to help.
Julie Combs–Grace Church, Norton, OH
For her 25 years of faithfulness leading a women’s Bible Study, having a love for teaching preschool children, and a heart for missions.
Phyllis Dull–Grace Brethren Church, Rittman, OH
For her many years of faithful service as a children’s teacher, greeter, musician, secretary, and prayer warrior.
Carol Claes–Grace Brethren Church, Marion, OH
For 24 years of faithfulness in children’s ministry, leading youth in a Bible Quiz Team, and having a heart for the community.
Agnes Bracker–Grace Brethren Church, Osceola, IN
For her many years of faithfulness as an encourager to believers, a prayer warrior, and a verse listener in Awana.
2007 Honors
National Pastoral or Church Staff Member of the Year
Steve Kern
Grace Brethren Church, Wooster, Ohio
For his faithfulness and vision in the area of Spiritual growth, children’s and women’s ministries, Biblical training and teaching.
Outreach Idea of the Year Award
Wooster Grace Brethren Church, Wooster, Ohio
Sowing Hope “Feed the Need” “Works of Service”
The Durwood & Claudine Brooks National Bible Quiz Coach Award
Rhoda Alejandro–Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Columbus, OH
Having coached quizzing for the past 18 years, Rhoda exemplifies Christ-likeness by helping students commit scripture to memory.
Senior Medal of Ministry Award
Graciously Sponsored by Grace Village
Steve and Marilyn Jenkins–Grace Brethren Church, Island Pond, VT
They faithfully serve the local church by providing refreshments, office work, hospitality, and lead a small group. This year they headed up the snowmobile ministry, and ministered to the area teens at an all-nighter.
Youth Sponsor of the Year Award
Jim Heffner–Grace Brethren Church of Powell, Powell, OH
Number one relationship builder with students, leads a high school guys Bible study, challenges teens to repent of sin and chase after God.
Faithfulness Award Recipient:
Christ (Pronounced with a short ‘i’) and Dolly Lapp
Lancaster Grace Brethren Church, Lancaster, PA
For their 40 years of faithfulness in reaching out to their community, having a heart for people, investing generously, and serving their church as leaders.
2006 Honors
National Pastoral or Church Staff Member of the Year
Virginia Meisner
Western Reserve GBC Macedonia, Ohio
For her faithfulness and vision in the area of children’s ministry, leadership, and Biblical training and teaching.
Virginia is the Children’s Director at the Western Reserve GBC in Macedonia, Ohio. She is responsible for implementing the corporate church vision in the Children’s ministry. She creatively gathers the children to disciple, teach, and create in them a heart for the lost. Virginia also leads and trains a dynamic volunteer staff and helps to point their minds and hearts toward the Biblical dream of the church.
Virginia ministers out of a passionate heart and has made the Children’s ministry attractive to the lost and dynamic to the convinced! Thank you for using the gifts God has given you to draw children to Christ.
Outreach Idea of the Year Award
Community Grace Brethren Church
West Milton, Ohio
God’s Great Outdoors Sportsman’s Dinner & Outdoor Expo
The goal of the Sportsman’s Dinner and Outdoor Expo was to bring unsaved outdoorsmen and women into a setting that would not only draw them in, but make them feel so comfortable and relaxed that they would be open and willing to hear the gospel as presented by an outdoor personality.
A wide variety of wild game and fish dishes were served and to give the visitors the experience of service that Jesus Christ demonstrated, the Youth Group poured and refilled drinks and served dessert. Exhibitors from Honda ATV safety instruction, John Deere equipment, Custom Butchers, taxidermists, etc., were there to aid in equipment needs and services.
The keynote speaker for the evening was a Pro Walleye Fisherman, Daryl Christensen, who shared Christ through his life story. In 2005 they saw four men pray to receive Christ, eight recommitments, and a good number of requests for follow-up for various reasons. Not only were the adults ministered to, they also taught an introduction to archery for the adults and children. And while the adults were hearing God’s Word through Daryl Christensen, the children were ministered to and heard the word through Child Evangelism Fellowship.
With over 300 million children and adults recreating in the outdoors annual, this is an enormous mission field, and we praise God for your initiative in reaching out to these men, women, and children.
The Durwood & Claudine Brooks National Bible Quiz Coach Award
Tim Sinchok
Ashland GBC Ashland, Ohio
Having coached quizzing for the past 5 years, Tim has seen God change lives as he helps students to ingest God’s Word.
Tim has coached for five years and he takes his job seriously. He sees it as helping the kids to ingest God’s Word so they may be changed agents for Christ. He practices with his quiz team consistently and always cheers them on at quiz rallies. Tim has influenced many of the top national quizzers in the NCO & NEO districts. Most of all, Tim is not in it to help his quiz team win, he’s in it to see God change lives.
Thank you for faithfully investing in the lives of students to teach them the Word!
Senior Medal of Ministry Award–Graciously Sponsored by Grace Village
J. Ward Tressler
Grace Community Church Fremont, Ohio
Has served over 50 years in the Fellowship, and he currently oversees Fremont’s Missions, Deacons, Visitations, and Senior’s ministry. He also leads an Adult Sunday School class and an evening prayer meeting.
Ward has served for over 50 years in the Fellowship spanning from Chico, California, to Altoona, Pennsylvania, from Lansing, Michigan, to Fremont, Ohio, from Kokomo, Indiana, to Clayhole, Kentucky, from Dayton, Ohio, to Myersdale, Pennsylvania, and has been at Grace Community Church in Fremont for the past 30 years. (He and his wife recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary! What a legacy!) His title at Fremont is Pastoral Ministries, and his jobs include overseeing their Mission’s Ministry, Deacon’s Ministry, Visitation’s ministry, and Senior’s ministry. He also leads an Adult Sunday School class, and a Wednesday night prayer meeting. As a member of the Elder Board, where the spiritual oversight of church is set, Ward’s experience and wisdom is highly valued and often sought after for their growing church.
Pastor Kevin Pinkerton says, “With Pastor Tressler on our staff team, our church has been steadily growing within our small community. Pastor Tressler has provided much needed experience, leadership, and wisdom as we have gone through the many challenges facing a growing church. His steady supportive style has reassured long time members that the changes we have made are necessary to stay relevant and real to the new people who come in our doors. Pastor Tressler is worth his weight in gold!
Pastor Tressler, thank you for your faithfulness in the Fellowship, to Grace Community Church in Fremont, to your wife of the last 60 years, and most importantly to furthering the Kingdom of God!
Youth Sponsor of the Year Award
Ed Dmytryk
Gateway Grace Community Church Parkesburg, PA
Number one relationship builder with students, leads a middle school guys small group, actively involved in the main event youth group time, and always an available servant.
A little over a year and a half ago, God, who is rich in mercy, got a hold of Ed’s life through the influence of some caring friends. Immediately he knew that to grow, he needed to give, and to give he needed to find a purpose greater than himself. Ed has jumped with both feet into the student ministry. He openly shares his past struggles with alcohol and drugs and shares his heart with the students. He has been influential in leading some of his own friends to the Lord as well as inviting the teenagers of his friends from the past to youth events.
Currently Ed is actively involved in leading a small group for the middle school guys, helps with Sunday school, and youth group Sunday evenings. Ed has worked at the same hardware store for over twenty years, but has realized that God has bigger plans for his life. He has completed two semesters at a local college and is pursuing his degree in teaching so that he can spend the rest of his “professional” life making a difference in the lives of students.
Pastor Dave Nicodemus says, “When the most unlikely of people allow God to radically change their lives and then make it their purpose to impact the lives of teenagers around them, it is truly something worth celebrating! It has been a joy to watch him grow in his love for the Lord and even to learn from his passion for God and for people”.
Thank you, Ed, for being a testimony of God’s power and grace to rescue a life from the depths and raise it to new heights to make an eternal difference in the kingdom of God.
CE Idea of the Year Award
Men’s Ministry
GBC of Long Beach Long Beach, California
This ministry exists to minister the love of Christ to every widow, widower, single mom, or any other distressed person, first in the church and then reaching out to the community.
Since 2004 Men’s Ministry has been serving widows, single moms, and any person in distress, first within the church and then reaching out into the community. The ministry is based off Job 29:11-13 “Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him. The man who was dying blessed me; and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy”.
Each man is placed on a 4-5-person team and is assigned to a widow, widower, or single parent in need. These men commit to donate three hours of time, one Saturday morning each month. All the teams meet together for one hour for breakfast, prayer, and last minute organization. The next 2 hours are spent doing yard work, minor home repairs, or whatever their assigned person needs done. Each team goes to the same care receiver each month, and the care receivers know that we are committed to them for the rest of their lives. The goal is to be advocates for them and to locate resources to help meet their needs.
This ministry trains men to: Identify with people in life situations to gain understanding and compassion, have a deep commitment to the person they are showing love to in a life-changing way, and take ultimate responsibility for the person they are showing love to by being wiling to sacrifice for them. Currently there are 80 men caring for 12 widows, 3 single moms, and one widower.
Thank you for practically applying God’s word to every day life and meeting the needs of others through your Men’s Ministry.
Faithfulness Award Recipients
Lisa Zimmerman
Pleasant Grove GBC North English, Iowa
For her faithfulness in VBS ministry, Children’s Sunday School, and ministries behind the scenes.
Homer Waller
Sunnyside GBC Sunnyside, Washington
For his 50 years of faithful ministry in Youth Leadership, Sunday School teaching, Board Member, Church Moderator, and much more.
Gilbert Grover
Ripon GBC Ripon, California
For his faithfulness in reaching out to teenagers and young adults, having a heart for the disabled, and serving as a deacon and elder.
Iris Markel
Southview GBC Ashland, Ohio
For her faithfulness in Children’s Sunday School, sharing her faith, SMM, Seniors ministry, discipleship, and much more.
2005 Honors
2005 Youth Sponsor of the Year
This year’s Youth Sponsor of the Year is Mrs. Debbie Black from the Grace Brethren Church in Brookville, Ohio. Debbie has been a youth sponsor for over 20 years which includes leading many of the student ministry teams. She is currently the ministry team coordinator leading mime, drama, clowning and ballet.
Debbie also leads a senior high girls small group and has discipled many young ladies. She faithfully attends BNYC and is a counselor as well as an NAC judge on the district and the national levels.
Her pastor says of Debbie, “I don’t know of anyone who loves BNYC, OB and ministry more than Debbie. She has impacted so many people, but I think her greatest testimony is that she loves the Lord with all her heart.”
Debbie is also involved in other church ministries such as the Worship Board, 4&5’church coordinator, hospitality committee.
Thank you, Debbie, for your faithful ministry and how you are a constant encourager, friend, leader and woman on God!
2005 Durwood and Claudine Brooks National Bible Quiz Coach of the Year Award
The recipients of this year’s national Bible Quiz coaching award are Don and Karen Adams from Bethel Brethren Church in Berne, Indiana. Mr. And Mrs. Adams have been coaching Bible quizzing for 18 years. Over 40 young people have studied God’s Word under them—many of them for six years each.
While many of the quizzers have faired extremely well at the district level and a number have participated at the National tournament held each year at BNYC, competition is not their main motivation. Quizzers who have studied under Don and Karen have noticed in themselves a Biblical understanding and Scriptural worldview that exceeds many of their peers and eventual Christian college classmates—sometimes even their superiors.
While coaching Bible Quizzing takes a great deal of time and effort, Don and Karen also are involved in the Sunday School department and the Deacon’s committee.
Thank you, Don and Karen, for your investment into young lives. May the Lord continue to use you both to make a difference for Him!
2005 National Pastoral Staff Member of the Year
This year’s recipient is Pastor Tim Waggoner, Director of Pastoral Care Ministries at the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio. Pastor Tim gives oversight to a wide variety of ministries that include hospital, nursing home, and home visitations, making over 1000 visits each year. He oversees the ministry of nursing home worship teams, retirement Bible studies, emergency care, prayer chain, funerals, grief seminars and a video tape ministry to shut-ins. He has spurred the organization of Grief Share Group, encouragements groups, and the H.E.L.P. Cancer support group. He oversees a staff of seven and over 150 volunteers.
Pastor Tim has shown a remarkable ability to engage others in ministry. Tim is a very humble, low-profile servant. He is very personally involved in doing the ministry he is encouraging other to do, often bringing them alongside in a mentoring relationship,
Thank you, Pastor Tim, for using your gifts and abilities for the good of the kingdom and for equipping the saints to do the work of service!
2005 Faithfulness Awards
Phoebe Boze
Bethel Brethren Church
Berne, Indiana
Glen Brookbank
Gulfview Grace Brethren Church
Port Richey, Florida
Willis and Mary Jo Frank
Penn Valley Grace Brethren Church
Telford, Pennsylvania
Wilma Hartley
First Grace Brethren Church
Dayton, Ohio
Tami Hocking
Bellflower Brethren Church
Carleda Hutton
Los Altos Grace Brethren Church
Long Beach, California
Bill and Frances Light
Patterson Memorial Grace Brethren Church
Roanoke, Virginia
Mavis Miller
Community Grace Brethren Church
Warsaw, Indiana
Evie Moomaw
Grace Brethren Church
Wooster, Ohio
Rich Russell
Grace Brethren Church
New Holland, Pennsylvania
Ruth Steele
Grace Brethren Church
Bowling Green, Ohio
Wanda Dalke
Community Grace Brethren Church
Whittier, California
Timothy Welling
Grace Community Church
Goshen, Indiana
2004 Honors
Sunday, July 25th, 2004 CE National revealed The National Church Awards at the FGBC Celebration. This is the first year for the “Faithfulness Award” which recognizes individuals for their dedication in ministry.
Outreach of the Year – Church
Shelly Warner
Greenville Grace Brethren Church
Greenville, Ohio
Outreach of the Year – Individual
DeWitt & Caroline Powell
Maranatha Brethren Church
Hagerstown, Maryland
CE Idea of the Year – “Thursday Lunch”
Ripon Grace Brethren Church
Ripon, California
for their ministry to youth in the community
National Adult Educator’s of the Year
John & Joy Jentes
Grace Brethren Church
Ashland, Ohio
National Staff Person of the Year
Bill Blue
Grace Church
Norton, Ohio
The Durwood and Claudine Brooks National Bible Quiz Coach Award
Ray & Sharon Feather
Grace Community Chapel
Mukilteo, Washington
Faithfulness Awards
Jim & Dawn Bradford
Grace Community Church
Goshen, Indiana
Ellen Nagao
Waipio Grace Brethren Church
Mililani, Hawaii
Larry & Sylvia Totzke
the quest
Columbus, Ohio
Steve & Becky Ricker
Grace Brethren Church
Island Pond, Vermont
Julie Dearing
Greenville Grace Brethren Church
Greenville, Ohio
Dorothy Levering
Grace Brethren Church of Long Beach
Long Beach, California
C.M. & Marie Hicks
Maranatha Brethren Church
Hagerstown, Maryland
Herb Christopher
Hopewell Grace Brethren Church
Hopewell, Pennsylvania
Teressa Pierce
Greenville Grace Brethren Church
Greenville, Ohio
2003 Honors
Outreach Idea of the Year
“Snowfest”
Grace Church of Orange
Orange, CA
CE Idea of the Year
Wednesday Night Parent’s Class
First Brethren Church
Buena Vista, VA
National Adult Educator of the Year
Jim Stone
East Side Grace Brethren Church
Blacklick, OH
National Children’s Educator of the Year
Dorothy Wooley
Indian Heights Grace Brethren Church
Kokomo, IN
Senior Medal of Ministry Award-Discipleship
Gerry Oliver
Grace Brethren Church of Columbus
Columbus, OH
Senior Medal of Ministry Award-Outreach
Bruce Whitacre
Winchester Grace Brethren Church
Winchester, VA
National Youth Sponsors of the Year
Tim and Kim Osburn
Bellflower Brethren Church
Bellflower, CA
The Durwood and Claudine Brooks National Bible Quiz Coach Award
Katrina Burton
Pataskala Grace Brethren Church
Pataskala, OH
