2004 Winners

Diane’s faith journey began in a Christian home where the value of showing compassion to others was instilled at a young age. As a young child, she went with her mother to visit friends and family in the local nursing home. An aunt who was a career nurse inspired Diane to choose the career she has today: pediatric nursing. Diane’s love for the Lord and her desire to help others is evident in the leadership roles she has both on the job and in the community.

As a nurse, Diane has ministered to children and families in crisis. She quietly and consistently delivers and improves the healthcare for children. She has used her leadership skills to design programs that improve service to patients and their families.

God has given Diane a deep passion and a desire to show compassion to the poor, the downtrodden, and the neglected people of the community. He has opened many doors to allow her to use the gifts and talents that He has given her; one such opportunity is the Loaves and Fish Ministry, a feeding ministry at her church. In 1994, Diane was part of a team that developed this ministry, and she has been one of its coordinators ever since, often assisting the guests with care and concern.

Her relationship with the Lord and time spent with Him is a priority for Diane as she lives out her faith in every area of her life. One fellow church member said, “When Diane is asked to become involved in something, she researches it to make sure it aligns with her beliefs and priorities. And when she commits, she commits fully, giving of herself and her God-given talents without reservation.” While we honor Diane today for her servant leadership and the work she has done in the name of Jesus Christ, she would say that the recognition belongs to Him because He leads her to people that need Him and He provides Her with the attitudes and talents needed to reflect His love to them.

• Director of Children’s Care Services for Children’s Hospital of Illinois
• President of the South Side Mission’s Board of Directors
• Loaves and Fish Ministry
• Created Family Advisory Council and Children’s Hospital Family Resource Center
• Children’s Hospital Board of Directors
• Irving School’s “Bear Buddy” program
• Foundation Board and Congregational Care Committee and various ministries at First United Methodist Church

Currently: Director of Children’s Care Services for Children’s Hospital of Illinois (at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center); Church: First United Methodist Church

Life Verse: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118.24

Bethany’s desire to share Christ with others and her heart for children are just two of the qualities that make her this year’s Student Servant Leader of the Year. She can often be found serving faithfully in the background, sometimes doing the most unappealing jobs simply because there is a need; other times she steps up to be a leader as a witness in a non-Christian world. She boldly displays her love for Christ as she leads Woodruff’s student Bible study group and the “See You at the Pole” event that takes place each year. Her outgoing personality, strong work ethic, and leadership skills enable her to combine her love for Christ and God-given talents in academics, sports, music, and drama to reach a wide variety of people. One teacher from her school commented, “Bethany has demonstrated all the qualities of a successful leader; she is an extremely kind and empathetic person who has always demonstrated concern for others’ well being.”

Bethany’s compassion and love for children is evident in her interaction with them at the South Side Mission. She truly exemplifies Christ’s admonition: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these...” Working every Sunday at the mission, the love the children have for Bethany is also evident as they flock to her and see that she cares for their needs. Her heart for children extends beyond the doors of the mission as she has served at Camp Kearney and on a recent missions trip to Russia. After just a few short days there, she found it very difficult to leave those whose lives she touched. Bethany truly shows her servant’s heart as she lives her faith and strives to be a role model for others.

• Sunday School teacher to at-risk teens at the South Side Mission
• Missions trip to Russia
• Praise Assembly and Riverside Youth Groups
• Dishwasher and restroom cleaner at Camp Kearney
• Bible study facilitator at Woodruff High School
• Key Club
• Band and Orchestra
• Choir and Show Choir
• Drama
• Student Council
• Class president for 3 years
• Instrumental in implementing “See You at the Pole” at Woodruff High School
• Director of a Christmas play performed by teens from the South Side Mission
• Ranked 5th in her class
• DAR Winner
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Bowling

Parents: Frank and Robin Winfrey; Age: 18; Currently: Woodruff High School; Church: South Side Mission

Life Verse: “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:10-12

During the summer months, you will find Zach and his entire family intently following the St. Louis Cardinals major league baseball team; in fact, you could even say that he is a baseball fanatic. But if you spent some time with Zach, you would find that his first love is Jesus Christ. Zach demonstrates that love through his actions, displaying tremendous character and integrity in all that he does. His humble leadership is an example to others in his home, at school, and in the community. In his endeavor to stay true to his Christian faith, Zach leads without seeking the limelight, but rather, seeks to please the Lord in all that he does.

• Missions Trip to Mexico
• Set Free Ministries
• Friendship House
• Deputy Group Commander of Jr. ROTC
• Co-Editor of school newspaper
• Captain of Scholastic Bowl Team
• Key Club
• Manager of the football team
• Co-President of International Club
• Tent revival outreach - Missionary Grove Baptist Church
• Peoria Rescue Ministries
• Redeemer’s Special Church
• Salvation Army Christmas Drive
• New Hope International Ministries
• Crisis Nursery Santa Store
• Served with his family in many areas including ministering to the homeless, visiting the elderly in nursing homes, and caring for two handicapped men in their home.

Parents: Roger and Patricia Jeremiah, Age: 17, Currently: Student at Peoria High School, Church: South Side Mission Handicap Ministry

Life Verse: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

Julianne’s desire to follow the Lord and make a difference for Him in today’s world is what inspires her to be a servant leader. God has given her a burden for the lost, especially those in her generation. She has a tender heart that sees when others are searching and a contagious faith that tries to reach them with the love of Jesus Christ. Seeking to do God’s will in her life, Julianne often makes difficult decisions and goes out of her way to put the needs of others in front of her own. Julianne is an outstanding young woman who actively demonstrates compassion, mercy, and humility.

• Missions trips to Venezuela and Mexico
• Foreign exchange student in Spain, attended a Spanish-speaking school and served missionary families through babysitting
• Oasis (college ministry) Leadership Team and Welcome/Evangelism Coordinator
• Spanish Club
• International Club
• Knights of the Cross Club
• Prayer group organizer at Richwoods High School
• Pioneer Girl song leader and camp counselor • Piano teacher
• Other various acts of service

Parents: Terry and Diane Spuler; Age: 18; Currently: Student at Illinois Central College; Church: Grace Presbyterian Church

Life Verse: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3.20-21

Jason learned from his parents at an early age that serving the Lord is part of the Christian life. As he has grown in his faith, he has seen the need to allow margin in his daily life, which has made him more open and available to God’s call in areas such as serving at church and school, helping a neighbor, or even listening to a friend. Jason seeks out small opportunities in everyday life to serve others and show God’s love, and he believes that true serving starts in the home. It is Jason’s relationship with Jesus Christ and his desire to have a Christlike attitude that have shaped him into the servant leader that he is today.

• Counselor of the Year - Camp of Champions
• Boys Brigade Ranger
• Counselor at Miracle Camp
• Service Chairperson of Christian Fraternity at Bradley University
• Guitar player for various worship services
• Initiated and organized Halloween Alternative event - Grace Church
• Bible quiz coach
• Other various acts of service

Parents: Darrel and Alice Coon; Age: 20; Currently: Student at Bradley University; Church: Grace Church, Morton, IL

Life Verse: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - which is your spiritual worship.”