Chandra Malar Christopher is a registered nurse from Nagarkail, Tamilnadu, India. She hails from a very active Protestant Christian tradition. She started her nursing career in India but also served over 10 years in Amman, Jordan. Immigrating to the United States, she recently retired after having worked as an RN at Wyckoff Heights Hospital for over 20 years. In the U.S. she associated with Christhava Tamil Koil as an active communicant member and participated in all its activities, especially as the secretary of the Board of Trustees, chair of the Hospitality Committee, and contributed very much to the activities of the Women’s Fellowship. She is always a generous and pleasant person, ready to lend a hand whenever needed.

Ruth Cave has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica since March 1995, and has been a Soup Kitchen volunteer since then. Ruth’s dedication, uncompromising commitment and her deep sense of purpose are attributed to the vision, love, devotion and values instilled by a visionary, her Aunt Marie, during her childhood in Barbados, West Indies. Ruth’s mother, Winifred Wilson died when she was months old, so her Dad sent her to his sister in Barbados. In 1948, Ruth married Selwyn Cave in Barbados and returned to the United States in 1950. She is the proud mother of Wendy, Selwyn Jr. and Jefferson Anderson (deceased). Ruth has been the tower of strength as her children pursued careers in teaching, retail sales and national security. Selwyn Sr. died in 1991 and the family depended on Ruth’s income as a domestic helper to shepherd them through some tough years. It is not surprising that Ruth still found time to go clean her church, shop for other members of her church family and, serve as a prayer partner to so many individuals in need of prayer, comfort and guidance. Ruth has served the First Church family well and continues to be a major donor of men’s clothing and does the shopping for some members of First Church. She has been an encourager to members to participate in “Faith in Action” annually and to contribute to the construction of the Tree of Life Center. Her caring extends to providing a meal for staff and Soup Kitchen volunteers during the weekly preparation for our Soup Kitchen guests. We give thanks for her ministry and the love of Christ that she exemplifies!

Shannon DeMoss has shown herself worthy of a citation for faithful service. She is a model Christian who has exemplified a belief in the higher power, God, the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son and the Holy Spirit. She is considered a servant of God because she strives on living a life that is pleasing in God’s sight; loving her brothers and sisters as God has commanded us. Her exemplary work, as shown above gives testimony to her devotion to provide spiritual service to the people. Her abilities are undergirded by her faith and obedience to God. She builds on her faith through dedicated study of the Word and sharing what she learns with fellow Christians and non-believers. In Shannon’s ministries, she seriously takes on the attitude of elevating others in their beliefs. She is widely known for her ministry and community work; building a faithful group of students and followers. Shannon is diligent about teaching God’s Word. She encourages them to put God’s words into practice. Prayer is also essential in Shannon’s life. She was instrumental in developing a prayer line for the church’s Covenant Group. She serves on the Board of Stewards, is the founder and director of the Macedonia Dance Ministry, and a member of the Usher Board. Shannon is an excellent model for others. Her Dance Ministry is a beacon for the young and old.

Deacon Sarah Leonard has been a member of the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church for twenty eight years, joining the church in 1985. Deacon Sarah has been a faithful member ever since she joined and has been in many ministries. She sang in the choir, worked with the missionaries, and was ordained a Deacon by Pastor John Walker. Deacon Sarah is a ferocious seeker after God’s Word which led her to become a faithful member of the New York Bible School for many years. Deacon Sarah’s latest position has been St. Mark’s adult Sunday school teacher in which she has been faithful for the last four years. Over the last twenty eight years Deacon Sarah has been a great asset to St. Mark and both Pastor John Walker and now Pastor Owen Williams. She has been a faithful supporter of her Pastor’s bible study, church anniversaries, women’s ministry, deacon ministry, culinary committee, outreach events, church construction and beautification projects. A faithful giver to and protector of God’s house, she truly embodies and possesses that spirit of encouragement that the Apostles so appropriately bestowed on Barnabas. In Acts 4:36-37, Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus whom the Apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”) sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the Apostles feet. Deacon Sarah Leonard has been married to Deacon Clifton Leonard for over fifty years – they have two sons and five grandchildren. She is truly deserving of this honor because she will wear it well.

Deacon Luis “Tony” Marcelo has been a loyal Member of The Lemuel Haynes Congregational Church, United Church of Christ for twenty years. Deacon Tony Marcela is Married to Sister Eulalia “Isabel” Marcelo and they are the proud parents of one son, three daughters and four grandchildren. Tony is a devoted Christian. He is a diligent church worker and has served the church in many capacities. Deacon Marcelo was a Chancel Choir Member and Head of the Evangelism Committee. Currently he is the Assistant Chairperson of the Board of Deacons, Member of the Building and Grounds Committee (electrician), Church Photographer, Superintendent of Church School, Head of the Video/Audio Ministry and driver of the Church Van as needed. Deacon Luis “Tony” Marcelo is a true Believer and a Man of God. He is Worthy of all the recognition. To God be the Glory.

Nancy Milawski has been a faithful member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church for many years. She has served as the lead for all of the Church’s fundraising events through the years. She served five years as Parish Secretary where she took on the day to day operations of all three of the Church’s buildings. She has volunteered endless hours of her time to CLC. Her heart is as good as gold. Her ideas and outgoing spirit have been a great asset to the church community. God bless our “lil Nancy,” a special angel sent especially to CLC.

Brother Leonard Oatman has served, as unto the Lord, tirelessly and faithfully with Led of the Lord Ministries since the beginning of the ministry one year ago. The church held its first service on September 9, 2012 and Brother Oatman has never missed a Sunday. He has been an integral member of each committee that is in service. When his brother passed away and Brother Oatman was to attend the funeral services out of town, he delayed his departure to make sure that his duties at the church were not neglected and attended worship service the same morning his brother passed. He is a member of the Praise and Worship Group, the committee responsible for setup and breakdown of music equipment, and the Outreach Sunday Morning Committee which makes breakfast available to the surrounding community of the church. Led of the Lord Ministries is blessed to have him as a member of the church family and would be at a loss without him.

Sister Hazel Smith, is a dedicated, committed and faithful volunteer of St. Albans Baptist Church and its community. Despite her many volunteer commitments; she has consistently attended Bible study classes, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to growing her understanding of God’s word. Sister Hazel Smith has served for many years in a variety of positions, including chairperson of trustees, Sunday School teacher, scholarship ministry, nurses ministry, Helping Hand ministry, performing arts, Vacation Bible School teacher, food pantry and soup kitchen. Her varied contributions to the church and to its various ministries is a powerful example of faithful service.

Charles Sugrim became a part of Trinity United Methodist Church on the invitation of Wesley Mohan, a fellow Methodist Church member from his hometown Church in Guyana. On visiting the Church in 2003, he found the members very warm and welcoming and decided to make it his home Church here in New York. Over the years he gave himself to the service of the Church and there was no turning back. Charles became a member of the Trustees under the Chairmanship of Bob Babian who inspired him with his love and dedication for his unselfish contribution of labor and time to service of Trinity. He assumed the chairmanship from 2008 to 2011 and continues as a Trustee. He accepted additional responsibility as Treasurer in 2009. Because Trinity is a small congregation, it was important that the members carry various responsibilities. Currently, Charles is Chair of the Administrative Council, Chair of the Finance Committee, member of the Board of Trustees and the Pastor/Parish Relations committees. Through all of this Charles was employed full time and completing studies in Accounting at York College. Completing his studies at York College, he is now finishing his studies for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examinations. He is married and blessed with two sons who are both in College and pursuing their Bachelor degrees. The elder son is pursuing his studies in Accounting, and the younger is in Risk Management. His wife is an Accountant, having completed her studies in Accounting at York College. Charles seeks always God’s blessing for Trinity, the Queens Federation of Churches, and all of the people in his service.

Christiana Tudor has been a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church for three years. She was always close to the Church and involved in its diverse and multiple activities. However, since she was elected member in the church’s governing committee, she has been contributing in significant ways to the development of the Church’s liturgical, spiritual, pastoral, administrative, financial and cultural work. Her dedication to the cause of the church is exemplary. She is a member of the Ladies Committee. She is a model of faithfulness, dedication and responsibility. The Church is happy and blessed to have her in the congregation.

Sis. Anita White is a faithful servant of our Lord and Savior and of the people of God and has been a member of Calvary A.M.E. Zion Church since 1934. She has been on the battlefield for the Lord for a very long time. Sis. White is currently the church secretary and has held that position for more than twenty years. Sis. White continues to reach out to those who are sick and shut in and those in the community whether a member of Calvary or not. She has always gone above and beyond what some may deem as reasonable service, and we are very proud to be able to recognize her as a Faithful Servant.

Martin Wilson has been an inspiring member and leader in New Hope Lutheran Church since his joining us in 2009. He has provided the church with his gifts which range from soulful singing in the Senior and Men’s choirs, to serving on the church council, to providing his business expertise which he gained as a long-time employee in the New York State Department of Labor. He has also served the church as a member of Church Council, president of New Hope Lutheran Choir, and a member of the Mens’ Ministry. While this in itself was more than enough of a blessing, he has blessed us with his gifts of faith, love of God, and a deep seated concern for the community he has lived in all his life. As a result, brother Martin became the first recipient of the New Hope Lutheran “Man of the Year” award in 2011.

Kenji Uokawa is a faithful husband, father and church member. He is a founding member of the Queens Family Church and has always been willing to help, volunteer and do the heavy lifting whenever there is a need at the church. His commitment and effort in the various church and church related activities are commendable. He singlehandedly renovated and beautified the facade of the church building. It is now more presentable and attractive than ever. He has served as a senior member of the Ministerial council, an executive board that oversees the affairs of the Queens Family Church, assistant to the pastor, official photographer for church events, volunteer head gardener, and volunteer driver for church events. He qualifies to get an award just for his labor of love. Though long time member and a pillar of the church, he exudes youth, energy and spirit.

Over 40 years ago, Rev Azad Henry Yacoub was called and dedicated himself to be the founding pastor of a local church in West Bank, Demerara, Guyana. Early in 2008, he and his wife joined the Liberty Bible Fellowship Church in Ozone Park, where he is now serving as an Assistant Pastor and Evangelist. He is a dynamic preacher of the Word, and a singing evangelist. Subsequently, after joining Liberty Church, he became an ordained Elder/Clergy and since then he has been faithfully serving this church as a preacher/ teacher of the Word, singing special songs, traveling and reaching out in Trinidad, Guyana, and here at Queens in the Film Evangelism ministry for lost souls. As an elder he is a Board member of Liberty Bible Fellowship Church.