Genevieve Beathea has been a member of the St. Mark Missionary Church for over twenty years. In that time she has been involved in many ministries and faithful to all of them. She is the vice president of the Usher Board, president of the Culinary Committee and lead servant of the St. Mark Food Pantry. In the last four years she has become a Missionary and joined the Missionary Ministry. Genevieve is so committed to the social gospel that she is constantly and continually leading the Missionary Ministry in canvassing the St. Mark vineyard to pass out flyers and invite the residents to bring their children to the Summer Vacation Bible School, summer and fall outreach events and angel tree Services. Her efforts have been so successful, the church has seen record number turn outs for all, of its outreach events. Genevieve is also an award winning foster parent, winning the parent of the year award in 2009 for her loving and faithful sacrifice of her time in taking care of our cities most vulnerable. This year she has taken on another critical role in the church as the Pastor’s executive assistant, where she is now responsible for assisting in planning, designing and drafting the churches annual calendar, interfacing and coordinating with all ministries that St. Mark is involved with. Genevieve is a faithful servant who attends service every Sunday and Bible Study every Wednesday, She loves her God and her church.

Sister Marianne Beers has been a member of the St. Albans Baptist Church for over 30 years. She has a special love for young people and his taken courses to equip her better to work with them. Sister Beers works with the Church’s tutoring program every year to help prepare youth of the church and community to excel on their exams. She teaches in the Vacation Bible School and she is also a member of the Missionary-Outreach Ministry, president of the Pastor’s Aid Ministry, and assistant coordinator of the annual Women’s Retreat. She is a faithful member of the Bible Study classes and Sunday School. She readily helps wherever there is a need.

Earlean Branson (née Cox) moved to Queens from her home town of Bayminette, Alabama, in 1949 and shortly thereafter met William Branson; they were married on November 20. 1953, while they both attended First Baptist Church in Corona Queens and served on the Usher Board. Bill and Earlean moved to Bayside in 1957 and joined the Community Baptist Church under Reverend Ryan. Earlean joined the Choir and Bill would become President of the Usher’s Ministry at Community Baptist where he served for more than 40 years. He passed away in 2004. Earlean moved on to serve in several different capacities: CBC Ushers, Senior Choir and the Lay-leader of the Floral Club, which was renamed the Floral Ministry, Earlean first joined the Floral Ministry in 1974 under Floral President Loma Rogers. In 1984 Earlean was appointed President of the Floral Club. Earlean stated during the interview that she was so very nervous to speak to people, which is why she joined the different ministries in an attempt to bring her out of her shyness. Earlean always has time for young women in God’s house and is available with a warm smile and good advice when asked to help others. Earlean received bad news about having cancer but never strayed away from her church home and comes diligently to offer prayer for others and herself every Tuesday night during Prayer Service. During her service to God and his people Earlean and Bill raised two children – Denise and Todd – and they have given her four grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Earlean still makes a yearly trek to her hometown where most of her family lives to enjoy her family at the Cox Family reunion in Alabama. When she returns from those trips she speaks about how much she enjoys the trip but longs to be in the midst of her Community Baptist church family. When you meet Earlean today, you ask yourself if this the same women who was so nervous when asked to serve on any committee, was not sure she could and would do the right thing in God’s house for God. Earlean has spent the past 40+ years serving in God’s house in one way or another on the Floral Ministry as the Lay-leader, Senior Choir and being a help and blessing to others in the church. Earlean’s advice to young women joining a church or looking for a church home: Be a Good person and remember you can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Susan Brustmann grew up in the First Reformed Church of College Point. After a time away from the church, she re-affirmed her faith in 2007, and has been an active member ever since. She attends weekly Bible Study, and is a regular participant in the Lenten Soup, Prayer and Learning studies. She was ordained an Elder in 2011 and has served as the chair or co-chair of several committees, including the Worship Committee, the Church Life Committee, and the Education Committee. She has taken on finding speakers for the Third Sunday education programs for the church and the community to learn from. This winter, she spearheaded the warming center, which allowed some local homeless to come in out of the brutal cold.

Elder Trevor Dawkins has been a member of First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica for the past nine years. For many years he traveled with his wife to First Church but couldn’t make a commitment until one day he heard a sermon which asked the congregation to get off the fence and make a decision. Moved by the Spirit, Trevor saw this as an opportunity to transfer his technical skills into the service of God. He got off the fence in a big way and has served the congregation by actively participating in numerous committees such as the Session, Media, Property, Scholarship and the Men’s Ministry. He models Jesus and the Apostles by leading by being an example of a servant leader. His contributions to the Media Ministry have been invaluable. During his many years of service, the Media Ministry has grown into an essential part of the worship experience. As a member of the Session the governing council of Elders, he has shown a commitment to carry his duties faithfully by attending meetings and taking on additional assignments. As a father and husband, he leads by example with his entire family becoming active and involved members of the church family. Trevor’s current focus is mentoring young men and women to participate in and grow the Media ministry. When asked why do you serve Trevor replies “it’s a way of using the gifts I have and my technical training to reach others for Christ.” The Session, Deacons and congregation of First Church is pleased to salute and celebrate Elder Trevor Dawkins, a tireless and faithful servant of God who is a role model and inspiration for us all.

Ernest O. Engerer was confirmed in 1934 at Christ Church. He remained a member while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II as a dog trainer in Italian campaigns, and as he raised his family. A U.S. Postal employee, he served as an officer of the credit union and lent his financial acumen to the congregation by service on the finance committee and the church council. (He remains on the finance committee.) He became a member of the Board of Trustees of the parish’s Endowment Fund which handles interest-earning investments for the congregation, in 1986 and its president in 1988. He has since guided the decisions on investments which help to financially sustain the congregation. Despite a recent stroke and recovery, he continues to do most of the fund’s investing work. He has also served with distinction on the parish’s school board, from which he has recently retired due to ill health.

Issac Kim is a ruling elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Flushing. Although he is the youngest elder at the church he has served the Session with wisdom, intelligence and integrity. Issac is not only a great leader in the church, but is hands-on in serving the church as the praise team leader and teacher for the children’s ministry. His services go beyond the walls of his church in that he ministers to many others in different ways in the community. He is highly recommend for this Citation for Faithful Service for his faith in Jesus Christ and his faithfulness to church and society.

Elder Francine Malloy was born in Jamaica, West Indies. She migrated to the United States when she was 16 years old and attended New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn and then went on to Queensborough Community College where she graduated in 1985 with a degree in Word Processing. While in College, she joined the U.S. Army Reserve at the age of 19 and served 6 years as a Supply & Administration Specialist at her home base of Fort Totten in Bayside, New York. In 1987 she started working with Citibank in the Commercial Business Group division, within various positions. Her current role is granting systems access and entitlements to staff members. By the grace of God, She recently celebrated 27 years with Citibank. Elder Malloy first came to First Presbyterian Church in Springfield Gardens in January 1997 in search of a church home and never left. She served a 3-year term on the Trustee Board. She was then ordained as Elder in 2011. Elder Malloy currently serves as Assistant Clerk of Session, Christian Education Committee member, Counting Team member, Usher Board Chairperson, Overseer of the Angels of God Youth Choir and she also oversees and dances with the Angelic Praise Flag Ministry. Through it all, she continues to serve God with all her heart, might, mind and strength. Elder Malloy resides in Rosedale Queens with her 3 sons, Stefan, 25, Jamar, 17, and Keon 15. She truly believes that God always had a plan for her and paved the way for her family to be so richly blessed with a wonderful church home, church family and good friends.

Elder Sunday Olugu is an invaluable part of all the ministries here at the Throop Memorial Presbyterian Church. As an active Elder he serves as both the Sunday morning Liturgist, and worship leader. He currently serves as the Chairman of the property and maintenance committee. In this role he oversees and addresses all issues that arise. The duties and tasks that he so effectively and efficiently perform allows the pastor to focus on and implement new ministry ideas. His contributions are greatly appreciated by the new Pastor of Throop Memorial. He has helped the pastor and the church to grow both spiritually and numerically. He has served the Church in many positions over the years, including Clerk of Session, chair of the Personnel Committee, and Director of Christian Education. His over 25 years of membership and service are irreplaceable and treasured very much by both church and community.

Mariana Orza has been a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Romanian Orthodox Church for about twenty years. She was always close to the Church and involved in its diverse and multiple activities. Since being elected member to the Church’s governing committee, she has contributed in significant ways to the development of the liturgical, spiritual, pastoral, administrative and, most particularly, cultural work. Her dedication to the cause of the Church is exemplary. She is a model of faithfulness, dedication and responsibility in the Church community. All are happy and blessed to have her in the congregation.

Emma Porter has been a primary leader and visionary of the mission and ministry of New Hope Lutheran Church ever since she completed her graduate education and moved to New York from North Carolina. Emma has been a Faithful Servant leader through New Hope, the Metropolitan NY Synod, the ELCA and Lutheranism world-wide in ways that are too numerous to recite in full, but among them at New Hope are Senior Choir, Vice President of Congregation Council, Delegate New York Metropolitan Synod Assembly, and Project Manager of the New Hope Building Renovation, a project in excess of one million dollars. She served as a Board member of a number of ELCA denominational organizations, including Lutheran Healthcare Board of Directors, Brooklyn, NY; Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, PA; Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, PA; and Bethlehem Fund, New York City. Her faith is strong; her commitment is clear; her obedience is without question. Emma has followed God’s Spirit to lead New Hope to carry out God’s work with their hands, in the absence of a called pastor for eight of the last ten years.

Crystal Revell has been an intricate part of the Music Ministry at Hollis Avenue Congregational Church UCC, for many years. God has gifted her with a beautiful voice and leadership skills. She is presently the Music Director for Royalty the Youth and Young Adult Choir, a position she has held since the age of fifteen. Crystal has also been an Acolyte, a Youth Usher, sang with the Little Angels and a member of the Ujima “Step Team.” Crystal has been faithful to her calling as Music Director for Royalty and we are looking for greater things from her in the church as she continues to serve the Lord.

Deaconess Winifred Roach served Corona Congregational United Church of Christ faithfully in many different ministries for 46 years. She was an active member of the Board of Christian Education, teaching church school in multiple capacities; and co-chaired the Senior Citizen Task Force in the planning for the building of the church senior center. Deaconess Roach was co-chairperson of the Diaconate Board for an extended period of time and was the sole chairperson for a time due to the illness of other co-chairs. She is still an active Deaconess today, serving as Chaplain. She’s one of the few surviving Charter Members of the Florence E. Smith Community Center and served as secretary for many years. She loves her church family and enjoys being in the service of the Lord.

Umahoin Russel is a vibrant young man that uses his vast computer knowledge to assist and improve Gate of Praise Gospel Outreach. He serves as Choirmaster and is responsible for the church service programs and youth outreach program. He mobilizes the youths and teaches them the way to salvation through Jesus Christ. Umahoin Russel also drives the van to pick up members who have no transportation and drops them off at the end of service. Currently, Umahoin Russel is organizing Prison and Homeless Outreach Programs. He is a worthy volunteer for the progress of the work of God on earth.

Brother Vicente is the Chairman of the Church Council, which helps to fund and run the Queens Family Federation, and Assistant to the Pastor for Outreach, Youth, and In-Reach Witnessing. He is a regular driver for the youth group that goes on retreat every Saturday, takes the lead for fundraising projects, and oversees all the activities of the church and recommends improvements. He is an indispensable, valuable asset to Queens Church. Kyoko Saraiva is chairwoman of a Woman’s Group, KODAN, Head of Witnessing Team and Special Services. Sister Kyoko leads and coordinates a relentless team of proactive sisters who do regular witnessing, cook for the church, pray for members and guests, lead special services for the deceased, provide care for the sick, and volunteers for any need for man/woman power. She is a constant source of energy and inspiration for all. Their Greatest Achievement: Parents of 3 lovely and disciplined children.

Walter Teekah came from Guyana in 1978, and worked hard until his retirement several years ago. He joined Bethany Lutheran Church of Elmhurst in November of 1994. In these 20 years, he has not only shown his deep faith in the Lord, but also served Him diligently at church and in the community. As the Chairperson of Church Property at Bethany, he has applied his abundant knowledge and experience in repairing the Church’s 87 year old building and parsonage. Besides serving with his physical abilities, Walter also gives us his mental side, serving as Secretary of the Council in recording the meeting minutes and writing correspondence. All in all, he deserves the Lord’s blessings and our praises.

Tiger Wang emigrated from China to the U.S. in 2011 and found Redeemer Lutheran Church in March 2012. He came to know Christ in China and by God’s grace, Tiger’s faith has grown and deepened since his baptism here in Queens. He is a passionate evangelist in his every loving action. He writes blogs to witness to Chinese people throughout the world about Christ’s love and God’s steadfastness in keeping promises for salvation and eternal life. Tiger daily studies scripture and prays fervently. He uses his amazing creativity in spreading the Gospel through technology and in almost every ministry of Redeemer Church. Tiger is a member of the Congregation Council, designed and maintains the Church Website, and Chairperson/Co-chairperson of the Evangelism Committee. He is a member of the annual New York Metropolitan Synod Assembly (of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), Creator and Leader of monthly Faith Walk (program of witness, song, prayer, Bible within the congregation and in outreach to the community), and Creator of program to distribute water and materials about faith, the Bible and Redeemer Lutheran Church while giving testimony of faith on the streets of the Church community.