2011 Winners
- Dennis Yeske, Servant Leader of the Year
- Juanita Hummer, Faithful Servant
- Jeffrey Rendon, Servant Leader in Ministry
- “Sully” Curtin, Student Servant Leader of the Year
- Lauren Jones, Student Servant Leader
- Jonathan Yates, Student Servant Leader
- Caitlyn Clayton, Student Servant Leader
I am very humbled and honored, definitely feel unworthy. I am hoping and praying that our Lord will use this time and these things I do for His glory to inspire others to do the same for His Kingdom.
Dennis is a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria where he has served in many areas such as: Sunday School teacher for 4-year-old children, “Watchman on the Wall” prayer ministry, Outreach Committee, Oversight Committee, and small group leader. He has also led receptions for new church members. He has served in the role of Deacon and is currently serving as an Elder. He started “Evangelism Explosion” 14 years ago at the church. Dennis recently returned from an E.E. mission trip to Cuba and is planning 2 more trips back to Cuba. He serves his community through the Red Cross and is a pheresis (platelet) donor. Another cause important to both Dennis and his wife is rescuing Labrador Retrievers. They currently have 4 Labrador Retrievers, 1 Golden Retriever, and 3 cats; all are rescues. He has been married to his wife Cathy for 42 years. They have 2 children and 6 grandchildren.
Life Verses: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19, 20 (NKJV)
When I see something that needs to be done that I can do, I do it. I”ve learned there are some things that are better left to others. Trying to do what God hasn”t given you the means to do is self-serving and can hinder God”s work.
Juanita attends Bloomington Bible Church where she has been faithfully serving her Lord for over 30 years. She has consistently taught Sunday School, Wednesday evening programs, and VBS; directed children”s Christmas pageants; and was secretary of the Church Board for 6 years. Her heart is with preschool age children. She also has a passion for widows, ministering to many of those in her church. Nine years ago Juanita introduced Operation Christmas Child to her church family; they have participated every year since. She currently oversees Adopt a Grandparent, a program to provide Christmas gifts to those in nursing homes. Juanita”s greatest desire is to see others serving her Lord. She is the mother of 3 children: Lori, James, and Andrea. Juanita is also blessed with 7 grandchildren.
Life Verse: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
I am honored to know that the inmates took their time to think of and about me. I am also humbled because God could have chosen anyone to come to Pekin and serve, but for some reason He chose me.
Jeff has been the Chaplain at the Federal Correctional Institution in Pekin, Illinois for 17 years. Nominated by the inmates of the prison, Jeff is best known for his compassion for all those he serves in this institutional setting. He humbly ministers to inmates from a variety of religions even though his own denominational affiliation is Southern Baptist. As Jeff listens to the problems and requests of the inmates, he relies on God for the strength and guidance he needs to help them. They are also blessed by his physical labors of love on their behalf. In their words, Jeff is their “leader, teacher, guide, spiritual counselor and inspiration.” Jeff has been married to his wife Denise for 11 years. They have three sons: Clark, Tyler and Blake
Life Verse: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Servant Leaders” should be devoted to surrendering their own identities for identities in Christ. Through their new identities God can encourage and guide other disciples through them.
Sully is 18 years old and a senior at Dunlap High School. He will attend De Paul University this fall, majoring in Religious Studies. He attends Northminster Presbyterian Church in Peoria where he sings in the Youth Choir and is involved with Angel Arms Ministries, a program for families who have children with disabilities. Sully has been on several mission trips to cities in Illinois, northern Michigan, and Toronto, Canada. He leads a Bible study for students at Joe”s Coffee Shop in Dunlap and has developed and leads a Bible study for boys with intellectual and other disabilities. For the past 3 years he has been the President of the DHS Best Buddies Organization, a club with a mission to help develop friendships between students with disabilities and their peers. Sully”s deep compassion for people with disabilities prompted him to promote “End the ‘R” Word” week, which concluded with an all-school assembly encouraging students and faculty to end casual use of the word “retarded.”Sully is the son of Kevin Curtin and Lindy McDonald; he has 3 sisters Mackenzie, Bailey, and Peyton.
Life Verse: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galations 2:20 (ESV)
To be a “Servant Leader” means that you are leading people because you want to make some part of the world better. It isn”t about benefitting yourself; it”s about helping people help others.
Lauren is 18 years old and currently a senior at Canton High School. She plans to attend college this fall with a major in English, and an interest in business. Lauren attends First Baptist Church in Canton and has helped with the nursery, VBS, and 2 mission trips to Minnesota. Lauren has been busy helping out in various ways with the following organizations: March Madness, Relay for Life, Key Club, Feed My Starving Children, YMCA, Big Read Volunteers, local food pantries, FCA, and See You At The Pole. Lauren organized a baby food drive, benefitting the Crittenton Nursery with over 2,000 jars of food. She is the French Club President, the Co-Captain of the cross-country team, tutors middle school children, and is the President of the National Honor Society. Lauren is the daughter of Keith and Kenda Jones, and has a brother, Dawson.
Life Verses: God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16b (NIV)
To be a “Servant Leader” is to show God”s love through your life and actions. It is the fulfillment of the great comission in one”s life.
Jonathan is 18 years old and a senior at Metamora High School. He will attend the University of Illinois this fall, majoring in architecture. Jonathan attends Great Oaks Community Church, and helps with his youth group. He has been a student leader in the ministry of Campus Life/Youth For Christ at Metamora High School. He has served for 4 years as a head leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is currently the President. He is active in the Metamora Food Pantry, Loaves and Fishes, and other service projects that include painting and raking leaves. He will be a part of the Campus Life mission trip to Honduras this April. Jonathan is the son of Warren and Lori Yates, and has a sister, Grace.
Life Verse: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
A “Servant Leader” should be a servant first. Their highest priority should be to be the hands and feet of God.
Caitlyn is 21 years old. She is a junior at Illinois State University, majoring in English Education. She attends First United Methodist Church in Peoria where she has been involved with the youth group as a mentor and small group leader for 3 years. She has volunteered in VBS for the past 8 years. In 2010 she served on a mission trip to the Czech Republic. Caitlyn is the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Clayton ,and has two sisters, Samantha and Gwendolyn.
Life Verses: Show me your ways , LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)