2007 Winners

Mary was born in Illinois—her Christian parents were homesteaders in Montana, moving later to Wisconsin, then permanently to Illinois. As a preteen, she was in church one Sunday and heard the pastor make the statement, “You can be good and be lost.” This convicted Mary and she gave her life to Jesus Christ. After graduating from college, Mary taught high school for two years at Tampico High School before marrying her husband Lloyd. Her teaching contract stated that “lady teachers are not and will not be married during the term of this contract.” Four years after she left her teaching job to marry her husband Lloyd and start a family, she returned to teach there for one more year. She became the first married lady teacher at that school.

In 1944, Mary and her family moved to Peoria. She and her husband helped start El Vista Baptist Church. In 1950, Mary and her husband, along with three other families, founded Peoria Christian School. During its first year, 16 students were enrolled in grades 1-6, having one teacher. Mary taught there for 27 years, later returning after eight years of retirement to teach two more years. She then substitute taught until the age of 85.

Mary has lived a life of faithful service in the name of Jesus Christ. Her legacy lives in a strong, vibrant Peoria Christian School and in the many lives she has touched. She continues to serve with the driven conviction of obedience. Mary is an example and inspiration to all those who know her and her faithful obedience to serve.

Coordinator of Children’s Sunday School • Women’s Bible Study Leader • Instrumental in founding Peoria Christian School in 1950 • Former principal and teacher • Illinois Wesleyan University Graduate • Sunday School Teacher • Host of “House to House” Ministry

Family: Married 55 years to the late Lloyd Carlson, two children (son Norman deceased in 2000), four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren • Currently: Retired high school teacher, continuing to faithfully serve the Lord • Church: Bethany Baptist Church

Life Verse: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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: 1,2 (KJV)”

Wendell came to know Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at the age of eight at a revival meeting in Sharpsburg, IL. He was raised by Christian parents, and his mother taught Good News Clubs in their home in the 1940’s when Wendell was in high school. This had an impact on him as he later became actively involved in Child Evangelism Fellowship, the ministry that equips leaders to share the Gospel through these clubs.

During World War II, Wendell served his country in the Army Air Corp. After his return to the States, he took a job at Caterpillar, Inc. in Decatur, IL, and in 1954, he married his wife Julia. When Wendell was transferred to Peoria in 1969, he and Julia soon began attending Grace Presbyterian Church where they have faithfully served for 37 years. His heart for the unsaved has been demonstrated through the many ministries he has been involved in and through the simple example of sharing his faith with others. Years ago, he and his wife pledged to share the Gospel and present a Bible to everyone who came to their home. This act of faith has been extended to every repairman and stranger who came to their door.

Wendell earnestly seeks God’s guidance through prayer and by being a student of His Word. He demonstrates his faith by serving others cheerfully, with patience, dependability, and a willingness to go the extra mile for others. After retiring from Caterpillar, he has taken the opportunity to serve the Lord in even a greater capacity.

Child Evangelism Fellowship State Board since 1956 • Camp Good News Board of Directors since 1968 (Also served the camp in numerous other ways) • Gideons International (Actively served in numerous ways since 1985) • Small Group Leader • Weekly Bible Study • Elder • Missions Conference Committee Member • Sunday School Teacher • Usher • Evangelism Explosion Team Member • Christian Center Volunteer • Missions Trips: Gaudeloupe (1980) and Cyprus (3 months in 1985) • Numerous other volunteer and service opportunities

Family: Married 52 years to Julia Nash, two children and four grandchildren • Currently: Retired from Caterpillar, Inc., continuing to faithfully serve the Lord • Church: Grace Presbyterian Church

Life Verses: The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust. Psalm 18:2a (KJV) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. II Corinthians 12:9a (KJV)

Myfanwy was born and raised in Western Canada in a Christian home. It was through her father, a minister, that she was led to the Lord at the age of eight. The statement “You are one heartbeat away from eternity” was included in her father’s message at a Rescue Mission, and Myfanwy knew that meant her — and accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior.

She married Paul in 1966, then they moved to the US in 1967 to minister in a church in Maine. After starting their family there, they moved back to Canada in 1972, then returned permanently to the US in 1979. They have served in churches in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Brunswick, Canada.

Myfanwy began working at Peoria Rescue Ministries in 1986—first as a volunteer, then as the Women’s Pregnancy Center Director. She now oversees both the WPC and Esther House. Each day begins with the Lord, then it is focused around the needs of the clients and residents.

Walking beside those in need and seeing God transform women’s lives as they learn to trust in Him are daily activities for Myfanwy. She trusts God deeply to meet the needs of the ministry. The PRM Women’s ministries have flourished under her leadership because she trusts Him for the big things. “She is always waiting for God to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever dream of,” says Jerry Trecek, Executive Director of Peoria Rescue Ministries.

Myfanwy does not see herself as a leader, but rather a team player. She credits her staff and volunteers for all the hard work they do. She loves them and acts as a mentor to encourage them to be all that God has called them to be. Great is Thy Faithfulness has become the favorite hymn for Myfanwy and her family because they have seen God so faithful in everything. She believes that each day is an opportunity to watch and see God accomplish His purpose, and that God’s love and provision are so evident every single day.

Mentor • Sunday School Teacher • Christian Women’s Club Speaker • Bible Study Teacher • Conference Speaker • Instrumental in opening Esther House, a residential facility to help women, and women with children in the Peoria Area.

Family: Married 41 years to Paul Saunders, three children and seven grandchildren • Currently: Director of Women’s Ministries, Peoria Rescue Ministries • Church: Bethany Baptist Church

Life Verse: The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Theresa remembers praying to receive Christ at a young age, but her faith became more real to her as His purposes were revealed more clearly through her confirmation classes. Today she is a servant leader because she takes a stand for what she believes and serves God by using the gifts He has given her. Theresa is able to stand up for the Truth in her “What’s Right” column of her school newspaper using her gift of writing. She is able to demonstrate her faith in the classroom as well, sharing the Christian perspective in discussions and sharing why “textbook answers” violate her faith on her exams.

Blessed with a love for languages and also for children, Theresa uses these gifts in her home, in her church, and in her community. She is a great example of servant leadership to those around her and she has a remarkable understanding of the need for personal sacrifice and the Christian faith. She maintains a positive attitude and gives God the glory for whatever she does.

Sunday School Teacher · Missions Trip to Mexico · School Newspaper Editor · English as a Second Language Program Volunteer · Sisters of Charity Soup Kitchen Volunteer · Lakeview Museum Summer Education Volunteer · Cross Country Team Captain · Richwoods High School Principal’s Leadership Award

Parents: Steven and Kathryn Smart · Age: 17 · Currently: Richwoods High School · Church: St. Vincent de Paul

Life Verses: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins…. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ…. 1 Peter 4:8, 10-11a (NIV)

Alleea prayed to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of eight when an invitation was given after a sermon at her church. Her love for the Lord is evident as she serves Him in her home, her school, her church, and in her community. With her outgoing personality and servant’s heart, God uses her talents of dance and music and her love for children to reach others around her. Alleea is also very dedicated to her school work and committed to improving her circumstances and her community through education.A

lleea gives God the credit for everything that she has done, and she is thankful to Him for her parents who love her and encourage her in her faith. Knowing that God is in control, she leans on Him to keep her focused on doing His will. As she looks to the future, it is her desire to continue serving and leading others by the example she is setting and the choices she makes each day.

Choir and Dance at Star of Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church • Youth in Motion (South Side Mission’s praise dance ministry) • Church Nursery Volunteer • Child Evangelism Fellowship Volunteer • Serves at weddings, funerals, and graduation ceremonies • Volleyball • Basketball • Track • Concession Stand Volunteer

Parents: Tim and Nichelle Todd • Age: 14 • Currently: Peoria Heights High School • Church: Star of Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church

Life Verse: The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:2 (NKJV)

Jendayi shares something very special with her cousin Alleea—her spiritual birthday. She, also, prayed to receive Christ at the age of eight after an invitation was given during a service at her church. Jandayi lives out her faith alongside her cousin and sister as she ministers to others through dance and singing. The Christ-like attitude she shows in her home and in her community demonstrate God’s love to those around her. She and her family can often be found serving together, preparing a meal for those in need or tutoring some children in reading and math.

Jendayi is also known for praying for others—for adults as well as her friends—and directing them to the Word of God for their problems. She is encouraged in knowing that God will always love her and look at her the same way—as His own. It is with this security that she is able to share God’s love through her actions towards others and be a light in our community.

Choir and Dance at Star of Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church · Youth in Motion (South Side Mission’s praise dance ministry) · Church Nursery Volunteer · Child Evangelism Fellowship Volunteer · Serves at weddings, funerals, and graduation ceremonies · Jesus Cares Ministries · Tutor at Woodrow Wilson School

Parents: Greg and Mia Page · Age: 14 · Currently: Homeschooled · Church: Star of Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church

Life Verses: For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)

Tiye was saved at the age of seven at her church, but rededicated her life to Christ at a Winter Jam concert at the Peoria Civic Center when she was thirteen. Giving Him her feelings of loneliness and sadness, she made a decision to trust fully in Him and reach out to others through her talents of singing, dancing, and acting. Every day she makes a choice to please God instead of the world by demonstrating His love to those less fortunate, younger, weaker, or without the strong family structure she has been blessed with. Tiye also uses her sense of humor and can become the family comic when she sees the need to cheer someone up.

Along with her sister Jendayi and her cousin Alleea, Tiye has stepped up to assume responsibility for their younger teammates on the Youth in Motion dance team. From uniform preparation and choreography to helping with supervision and hair styling, these young women are preparing themselves and their teammates to go into the world as ambassadors of the Living God. Tiye is a great example for her young teammates as she lives a life of purity and obedience. She is encouraged, knowing that the Lord is pleased with her actions and that her labor is not in vain, even when she is tired and is faced with the reality that being a Christian teen can be difficult.

Choir and Dance at Star of Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church · Youth in Motion (South Side Mission’s praise dance ministry) · Church Nursery Volunteer · Child Evangelism Fellowship Volunteer · Serves at weddings, funerals, and graduation ceremonies · Jesus Cares Ministries · Tutor at Woodrow Wilson School

Parents: Greg and Mia Page · Age: 16 · Currently: Homeschooled · Church: Star of Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church

Life Verse: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. I Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)