2006 Winners

Life Verse: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20b”

Bill began attending Grace Presbyterian Church when he and his wife Beverly were dating during his senior year of high school. It was during that time that he answered an altar call given by Dr. Bruce Dunn, and Bill received Jesus as his Savior. He worked at a printing company for many years, but when his work schedule prevented him from outside activities and the company began printing wine labels, Bill knew the early retirement offer was from the Lord. Bill’s “retirement” began with mission trips, including one to Kenya and two to Honduras with his son, who was a missionary with HCJB and is now with Samaritan’s Purse. When his wife Beverly began working for Child Evangelism Fellowship, this opened up the door for Bill to begin using his talents at Camp Good News, doing repairs and designing and constructing new buildings. Ten years ago he became the Mid-Illinois Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child, and has been instrumental in collecting over 206,000 gift-filled shoe boxes that are being to sent to children all around the world. Each box contains a Gospel booklet with a message of hope in the child’s own language.

When others ask him how he finds the time to do all the things that he does, Bill replies, “I’m just doing it for the Lord.” His personal relationship with his Savior and his deep desire to see others come to know Him, give Bill the strength to be the servant leader that he is.

Life Verse: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men....It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23, 24b

Barb came to know the Lord as an adult after going through some trials in her life. When she married, she was blessed with her daughter Laura, but soon discovered that she was developmentally disabled. Barb and her husband accepted her and thanked God for her, and three years later, their second daughter Leanne was born. At the age of three, God took Leanne home in just twelve hours with spinal meningitis. It was after this trial in her life that Barb began to doubt God and became angry over her loss. With much time and prayer, she came to know Jesus, accept God’s will and turn her life over to Him. In return, through the ministries that God has called her into, He has blessed her with countless children to nurture and love.

God has used Barb to touch the lives of hundreds of children and families in the Peoria area over the years. She truly shows the love of Jesus by getting involved in each and every child’s life that she ministers to. God continually shows her the needs that people have and then provides her with the energy, love, and resources to meet those needs. Her faithful devotion to her Lord and to the people He has put in her life has been an example to everyone and has encouraged them to share Christ’s love with others like she does.

Life Verse: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7

Jerry was raised on a farm in Southwest Wisconsin and his family attended a small country church. It was there, at the age of fourteen, that he came to a saving knowledge of Christ through the men of God who preached the Word and his godly parents who lived their lives for Christ every day, not just on Sunday. Jerry began serving the Peoria Rescue Mission part-time as a Bible teacher in 1968 and was appointed Executive Director in 1971.

Under Jerry’s leadership, Peoria Rescue Ministries has grown from a limited ministry to men on the street, originally known as Peoria City Mission, to a ministry with six major divisions– each of which practically minister God’s love to broken people in need of healing and acceptance in Jesus Christ. Jerry Trecek is a man who truly puts his faith in God into action, simply loving others the way that God has loved him.

One of the areas of ministry that shows his true heart for those in need is the overseas ministry of PRM. He has developed and maintains contacts in Latvia and the Ukraine and visits there at least once a year. He helped establish two training centers for evangelical clergy and also a ministry that reaches out to the needy of their community. Many rescue missions within our own country often look to Jerry for assistance and out of the abundance of PRM, Jerry makes sure that their needs are met. Only heaven will reveal who he has served, encouraged, and ministered to.

Tristan was brought up in a Christian home, but did not receive Jesus Christ as her Savior until her seventh grade year at a youth convention (Illinois Christian Teens Convention). It was then that she made a commitment to follow Jesus for the rest of her life. She has faced many trials and challenges since then, but God has stood by her and provided the support and encouragement that she needed.

One experience that has had a huge impact on Tristan's life is the camp she attended a few years ago– Summer Games Cornerstone Camp in Lewistown, IL. She now serves there each summer as a counselor, and it is because of this experience that God has led her to minor in Youth Ministry when she attends Iowa Weslyan this fall.

Tristan has a strong belief that God does everything for a reason and He has a plan for everyone. She knows that with Him she can do anything He calls her to do, including whatever it takes to further His kingdom. For now, Tristan will study nursing in the fall and continue to serve and listen for His direction for her life.

Renée received Jesus as her Savior at the age of four, and her relationship with Him became even more real when she began having a daily personal devotion time when she was in the fifth grade. Serving was an integral part of her childhood as her parents taught her to live her life for Christ and that "actions speak louder than words." Their modeling of these principles and their unwavering stance upon the truth has shown Renée how to live her life, not only to honor God, but to be a witness to those around her as well.

Renée considers herself to be a seed-sower to those around her, always being prepared for God to use her in another person's life. She sees her school as a mission field and has had the opportunity to lead at least two of her friends to Christ. Her passion for missions and her love for art and for people have given her a desire to become an art therapist– to give those unable to speak a way to express themselves, as well as share with them how deeply loved and treasured they are by God. Wherever He leads her, it is her heart's desire that God would use each of her strengths and weaknesses for His glory.

Adam attended church with his family as a child, but it wasn't until he joined a discipleship group at the age of thirteen that he was awakened to the reality of a living God, the sacrifice of His Son, and the need for forgiveness in his own life. Under the guidance of a mentor and the support of numerous friends, Adam began to study the Scriptures and believe that what they said was true. He now puts his hope and trust in the promises of God's Word, believing in Jesus as his Savior and accepting the grace freely given to him.

As Adam has developed as a Christian, prayer and the study of God's Word have occupied a greater place in his life, and he sees them as essential to understanding the nature of God and His purposes for him. Adam's involvement with his youth group and its leadership team have challenged him to share his faith with those around him and encouraged others to do the same. The practical ministry that he experienced during the summer of 2005 confirmed his desire to choose full-time ministry as a career, and he hopes to begin his studies at Moody Bible Institute this fall.

Katie came to know the Lord as a young child, but has developed a deeper relationship with Him over the past five years. Her years at Woodruff High School, the opportunities to go on mission trips, and her current experiences at Bradley University have all challenged her and shown her the need to share her faith with those around her.

Katie's desire to serve the Lord and give Him the glory in all that she does is evident in her humble attitude, as well as her actions. Her quiet leadership comes from trusting God in whatever situation He places her. Whether it is leading a Bible study, chairing a committee, talking to someone about her Savior, or using one of the musical gifts that God has given her, Katie is thankful for the opportunity to serve and will continue sharing Christ's love with others through the gifts He has given her.