Ministry awardees have SWU connections
Receiving the Adam Crooks Award were Eddie Smith and Dustin Wilson, founding co-pastors of Freedom Journey inner-city mission in Salisbury, N.C. Smith is a former member of Southern Wesleyan’s Admissions staff and Wilson is a 2007 religion graduate. The Crooks Award honors ministers in the district who, with a driving conviction, consistently carry the gospel outside the four walls of the church, making a measurable difference in the world. It is named in honor of Adam Crooks, who planted the first Wesleyan church in 1847 in the geographical area that now makes up the North Carolina East District. The church building, known as Freedom’s Hill Church, was moved to Southern Wesleyan’s campus in Central in 2000.
Receiving the Kermit W. Farlow Conference Evangelist Award was Charlie Collins, a 1989 religion graduate and senior pastor of the Denton Wesleyan Church in Denton, N.C. The award honors the district minister who best represents the spirit of Wesley’s charge to his preachers, “You have nothing to do but to save souls.” It was named in honor of Evangelist Kermit W. Farlow, who made great personal sacrifices to win people to Jesus all over the world.
Receiving the Outstanding Young Leader award was Matthew W. LeRoy, a 1999 religion graduate and founding pastor of Love Chapel Hill, in Chapel Hill, N.C. The award honors the young leader who demonstrates current excellence and shows outstanding promise for future ministry in the North Carolina East District of The Wesleyan Church.
Receiving the Pastor of the Year Award was Matthew Smith, a 1999 religion graduate and founding pastor of the Vintage Church, Randleman, N.C. The award honors outstanding achievement, performance and spiritual leadership as a pastor in the North Carolina East District of The Wesleyan Church.
The awards were presented at the District Conference of the North Carolina East District.