FRED FACTOR AWARD INSTITUTED…

 On Sunday, February 22nd, the first Fred Factor Awards were given.  Pastor Deas realized that some saints make many worthwhile contributions to the church’s ministry unselfishly, and without pay to help the ministry go forth.  Pastor Deas also realizes that these souls will one day receive a “Crown of Life” which only the righteous judge shall give, but he wanted them to know that they are appreciated now, and without their sacrifice of time and efforts, many tasks at the church would be left undone.

 The idea of “The Fred Factor Award” arose out of a book given to Pastor Deas, called “The Fred Factor.”  In this book people are recognized for doing an outstanding job in their area of responsibility. In order to receive this award, you must be nominated by a church member, and reasons must be substantiated as to why a particular individual deserves the award. The persons recognized have done outstanding jobs and have gone above and beyond their assigned task, and all of the first recipients have multi tasks that they perform at the church in addition to their secular work. The first award recipients are listed below along with some of the tasks that they perform: 

Dec. Jerome Howard is a deacon, member of the Trustee Board, church electrician, van ministry driver, brotherhood chair, brotherhood choir member, brotherhood teacher for the men, usher, and served as chair of the usher board.  Deacon Howard is employed by Turner Broadcasting as an electrician.  Not only does Deacon Howard keep the church’s electrical work in good order, he is constantly going to the saints’ homes to ensure that their systems are also up and running.  Deacon Howard is constantly rallying the brothers together to get projects around the church accomplished, if he can’t get help, he will do it himself. He also spearheads the February Dinners of Love for the sisters, and the Mother’s Day Dinners held at the church. 

Sis. Verlene Brown is church secretary, Trustee Board member, young adult Sunday school class teacher, and most recently a women’s choir member.  She makes sure the lawn care service installs seasonal flowers by the church sign, and helped to spearhead the major church sanctuary renovation along with the other board members.  She believes that there are some things we can do ourselves, but then there are times “we need to hire a professional” to get the job done right. Sis. Brown owns Hair a la Parisienne Hair Salon, where she works as a beautician, works with the Cancer Society in their “Feel Good, Look Good Program” for cancer survivors, facilitator for the Griefshare and DivorceCare Programs at the church, counsels at a local women’s shelter, and generously gives to others.

Dec. Al Alford is church’s 2nd deacon and bookkeeper and still serves in these roles.  He also serves as Sunday School superintendent, adult Sunday School teacher, and President of the Harvest Investment Group.  Deacon Alford timely prepares all the members’ year end statements each year, and works along with Dec. Howard to insure that all departments handle their funds in the correct manner.  He is primarily responsible for the Sunday school bible bowls that have been held over the years, of which took much time and effort.  Dec. Alford has sung with the brotherhood choir, and will usher or do whatever is needed of him to further the church’s ministry.  In 2008, Dec. Alford held a 6-8 week computer class for the Sunday school teachers, many of whom had very little computer experience.  He also has held financial workshops at the church, and will give free financial advice to any of the saints at their prompting. Dec. Alford is a former instructor for the Xerox Learning Center in Atlanta, and after the Learning Center was closed, Dec. Alford returned to the field where he is a Senior Customer Service Engineer for high volume production color printers. 

Sis. Kriss Deas assists in the church office in keeping up with the church roster, birthdays of the saints, mailing out letters to visitors, charting the soul winning teams’ progress on the bulletin board, girl’s club teacher Sunday bulletins (programs) and special church programs, and partners with her mother-in-law, Sis. Janis Deas in preparing funeral programs for saints’ immediate family members free of cost.  She is also a member of the drama/dance ministry.  In 2008 Kriss was responsible for a youth fundraiser in which teams were formed and encouraged to bring pennies for the youth ministry.  The funds were to be used for youth uniforms and to assist them in whatever they needed. This event was very successful and generated a lot of enthusiasm among the saints. She also was the main chair for the “Back to School Gala” held in August 2008 wherein a cook out was held for the youth, and all participants received book bags filled with back to school supplies.  Kriss is employed by the City of Atlanta public school system where she teaches high school sciences ranging from chemistry, forensic science, human anatomy and physiology.  She is currently working on her master’s degree.

 As you can see, along with their secular job responsibilities, these faithful members take the time to help in the ministry of the church.  Their tasks go beyond the normal hours of church operation.  We must note that they willingly give of their time and talents, and they work “as unto the Lord.” Keep up the good work, servants of the Most High God!