During the Thursday business session of the General Council, General Superintendent George O. Wood awarded Charles McKinney, David Oddo, Renee Girdler and Kirk Hanson the prestigious General Superintendent's Medal of Honor.
|
|
By AG Office of Public Relations
During the Thursday business session of the General Council, General Superintendent George O. Wood awarded Charles McKinney, David Oddo, Renee Girdler and Kirk Hanson the prestigious General Superintendent's Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor is the highest award the Assemblies of God bestows upon a layperson and is reserved for those who have greatly distinguished themselves through meritorious service to God, the church and fellow citizens.
Following is the recognition given by Dr. Wood during the presentation.
Charles W. McKinney
Some people are born to be educators. Today we honor one of those ---- Dr. Charles W. McKinney. Dr. McKinney earned his bachelor of science then went on to earn two master degrees ---- one in School Administration and the other in Business Administration ---- and a Doctorate in Education.
He has served higher learning institutions from Missouri to California and Florida during his years as a college administrator. But he's also served his church. He has been on the board of directors for Continental Theological Seminary in Brussels, Belgium; Vanguard University; and currently serves on the board for the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary since 1996, serving as secretary since 2009.
Byron Klaus, president of AGTS, states: "I do believe Dr. McKinney represents the finest of lay leadership in the Assemblies of God. He is a quality professional in his chosen field of higher education and a sterling example of a pastor's friend in churches wherever he has lived. It is rare to find a person whose sterling professional records are coupled with an enduring commitment to local church membership and participation." He and his wife currently are members of First Assembly, Ft. Myers, Florida.
Pastor Dan Betzer says, "Dr. McKinney is one of the most respected men in southwest Florida. He recently retired as vice-president of Florida Gulf Coast University, a school of some 10,000 students which he helped begin. Charles has also served on our Church Council. Our council members can stay in office for only one three-year term at a time, but he is always re-elected after the year's absence."
Pastor Betzer recalls the time when he had decided to shut down one of the church's satellites which was not doing well and costing the church a lot of money. "I submitted my proposal to the board and it was received with delight ---- except for Charles. He very quietly said to us, 'I don't believe this closing is of God. We need to give this satellite more time. Let's give it one more year.' Because of our high esteem for his wisdom, we all acquiesced. In other words, Charles outvoted us 1 to 15. Charles was right. The satellite is doing very well and this past Easter had nearly 1,000 in attendance."
For an exemplary life, bringing glory and honor to God and to this church, it is my privilege to confer upon Charles W. McKinney the General Superintendent's Medal of Honor.
David Oddo
The Bible says, "Those who have been given a trust, must prove faithful" (1 Cor. 4:2----NIV). The person we honor today has fulfilled that Scripture over and over again.
This outstanding layman is a godly person with great wisdom who faithfully applies his many talents to any task that comes his way. He is a man whose life is marked by the highest levels of integrity and Christian commitment.
Over the years David Oddo has been active in various Assemblies of God churches in the Southern California District. He has served on numerous church boards, often as the church treasurer.
He became a member of the Board of Trustees of Vanguard University in 1999 and served until 2004. He was reappointed in 2006 and continues today as the chairman of the board. Vanguard University has persevered through many challenges the past few years, including the possibility of losing its accreditation. The accrediting association required several changes critical to the structure of the Board of Directors and the future of the university's existence. David graciously stepped in with a can-do attitude and assisted in implementing change at Vanguard. As a result of his efforts and those of an amazing team of people, Vanguard made the required improvements in less than the given time and not only retained its accreditation but also had all sanctions removed. At the time he was faithfully working for Vanguard's survival, he was also managing a major merger and relocation of his own business.
Vanguard President Carol Taylor states: "Clearly, no one person can turn around an entire institution and many served sacrificially over the past two years. In no way does David's service diminish the sacrifice and service of others. Rather, David played a key role in the turnaround story of Vanguard. His service and leadership have been and are marked with sacrifice, selflessness, humility, godliness and integrity. Perhaps most important of all, David's leadership is marked with a quiet confidence, profound faith and depth of prayer."
Vanguard stands today in no small measure because of David's noble service and acts of valor. He was given a great trust and he has proved faithful!
For a life of faithfulness and service, bringing glory to God and to this Fellowship, it gives me great pleasure to confer upon David Oddo the church's highest award for lay persons, the General Superintendent's Medal of Honor.
Renee Girdler
Two years ago at General Council we added a fourth reason for being for the Assemblies of God: to show compassion. The person we honor exemplifies that in her life and career. A top-rated medical doctor with more honors and awards than we can name here, Dr. Renee Girdler has a thriving practice, teaches and trains other doctors, is the wife of Kentucky District Superintendent Joe Girdler, the mother of two and at the same time goes on missions trips with HealthCare Ministries to minister with teams around the world.
In the midst of this very busy life, her pastor, Scott Brown of Trinity Chapel in Louisville, states: "She leads a consistent and exemplary Christian walk. Her love for the Lord is evident in all that she does. She is always looking for ways to share the love of the Lord with those around her, whether it is with her family, friends or patients."
Renee has always been an "achiever." Whether as high school valedictorian, summa cum-laude graduate in pre-med; or highest honors in medical school, she early exhibited focus and determination to be her best. A former pastor said, "Renee, in those early years, was never rebellious, never exhibited behavior bringing shame on the Savior, but was always faithful to the Lord as a young woman and remains so today."
A medical colleague says: "Dr. Girdler is an exemplary teacher. She is a leader in her field who does more than most to impart the principles of caring for others, and applying the best and most up-to-date knowledge to the medical care of patients while serving as a role model and leader."
One doctor mentioned she is the "most requested physician in our practice because of the excellent care she provides." She has authored numerous articles for medical journals and has twice been named among "Best Doctors in America." She was awarded the degree of FELLOW in Boston in 2009.
Through missions efforts with HealthCare Ministries, Renee's compassion and professional care have been extended to other countries. JoAnn Butrin, director of HealthCare Ministries, notes "her heart for the hurting and less fortunate has been a part of her practice and her life." She not only served on the board of directors for HealthCare Ministries, but also on the AG World Mission and Central Bible College boards of directors.
For a life of service and compassion, bringing glory to God and to this Fellowship, it gives me great honor to confer upon Renee Girdler the church's highest award for lay persons, the General Superintendent's Medal of Honor.
Kirk Hanson
The person we honor today is a winner! He stands as one of only two basketball coaches in Missouri to have led his team to 700 wins. Coach Kirk Hanson has achieved this record with teams of young men called to ministry and playing without athletic scholarship help.
In 1978, at the age of 24, Kirk Hanson assumed the position as head coach for Central Bible College, a position he continues to hold. Throughout the years he has mentored young men with the goal of producing thoroughly trained people who can successfully lead a ministry. Unlike many colleges, CBC does not offer scholarships, nor does the coaching staff travel the region recruiting players for their teams. For students who play for the CBC team, athletics is a commitment with few perks.
One of his former team members, Mark Batterson, states: "When it comes to leadership, I learned as much on the court as I did in the classroom. Because of his example, I view myself as a spiritual coach as much as a pastor. That perspective has helped me lead people more effectively."
Dan Wood, executive director of the National Christian College Athletic Association, states: "Kirk Hanson has served his Lord, his institution and his church for over 30 years. He also has served the NCCAA as a regional chairperson, national sport chairperson and as membership president. His aim has been to insure that mission, not just sport, be the banner of the NCCAA."
Statistics show that about 90 percent of the players who have played for Coach Hanson and graduated from CBC are in vocational ministry assignments somewhere in the world. He has been a true disciple. His teams conduct 10-15 services in churches and schools each year. They travel nearly every weekend during the basketball season in services where they sing, preach, and as a bell choir, even play a full set of bells.
At the same time, Kirk has been an exemplary member of Central Assembly in Springfield, Missouri. For more than 23 years, he and his wife, Lynn, have taught a kindergarten Sunday School class. They were recently honored by receiving the Billie Davis Award for Excellence in Christian Education by the national Christian Education area. Pastor Jeff Peterson comments, "I have admired Coach Hanson for the missional focus he has maintained through the years via the sports arena."
Kirk often says, "We don't train basketball players, we train men for ministry who like to play basketball."
His 700th win in January 2011 brought a lot of attention to him and his program. ESPN sent crews to interview Kirk and film the CBC team in two different games. The network even followed the team to a church service they had one weekend. Various media outlets have covered this accomplishment and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon issued a proclamation on the occasion of his being only the second college basketball coach in Missouri to post 700 wins (the other was Norm Stewart, former coach at Missouri University).
For a life of service, bringing glory to God and to this Fellowship, it gives me great pleasure to confer upon Kirk Hanson the church's highest award for lay persons, the General Superintendent's Medal of Honor.
