Compassionate Hands: Demonstrates extending a hand of compassion to their congregation and others in their community. Reaching out to the community is a passion for them. They visit the sick and shut-in in homes and hospitals. To help meet man’s natural needs, they offer food and clothing pantries and programs to the destitute and homeless. Pastors who gather in monies from their ministries to support local charities or worldwide missions are also to be commended with this award.
The Good Shepherd: Demonstrates feeding the sheep, loving the sheep and living the life of a true leader in the body of Christ. Feeding the sheep, they preach the true Word of God, building a foundation of faith on based on the doctrine of the scriptures. In loving the sheep, they pray for those in their care and extend invitations to the lost to give them opportunities to know the Lord Jesus as Savior. Living the life of an example, they are the known for walking in righteousness, as the only representative that some will ever see in this world-they live the scriptures in their daily lives.
Community Activist/Supporter: Demonstrates care and concern for the community go beyond the pews and into the streets. Working with local city and state government officials, they are the voice for those who cannot speak. Respected as a leader, they are called upon to help make decisions- bring faith and politics together.
Education/Youth Development Torchbearer: Demonstrates a realization of the importance of education and how much the next generation needs us. Bringing education to the forefront of their ministry vision, this leader invests in the future of the youth in his community by developing programs for supplemental learning, tutoring, college preparation and/or Christian education. Often being one of few in the community to focus on the youth, their torch burns bright in these efforts.
Bridge Builders/Collaboration: Demonstrates efforts to collaborate with others in the Body of Christ. They bring ministries and church bodies together in prayer, fellowship or even to be a support to those they serve. They also seek opportunities to mentor other ministers and offer them opportunities to develop as leaders by opening up the doors to their sanctuaries to them.