GREEN LAKE, WI (June 26, 2008) \u2013 A Florida couple that has overcome racism, poverty, and the lack of education to be witnesses of Christ\u2019s love were recipients of the T.W. Anderson Award, which was presented today during the 123rd Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
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\nPresident Glenn Palmberg presented the award to Melvenia and Clarence Moore, who attend Kingdom Covenant Ministries in Miami, Florida. Clarence was unable to be present to accept the award.<\/p>\n
![\"Anderson\"](\"http:\/\/www.covchurch.org\/uploads\/UY\/mG\/UYmGi4odFG_0Mli4DoT_-Q\/tw.jpg\")
The award is named in honor of the only lay president of the Covenant. It is presented during each year\u2019s Annual Meeting and honors laypersons who evidence lives of commitment and dedication to Christ and the church, who have been members of the denomination for at least 25 years, have not served on a conference or national board, have provided outstanding service to the local church and community, and have been recognized vocationally.<\/p>\n
The Moores have served their church and community in numerous capacities, holding leadership positions, as well as doing whatever small jobs needed to be done.<\/p>\n
In her nominating letter, church member Doris Granberry wrote that many people had been encouraged and come to Christ through their ministry. A local organization honored Melvenia as \u201ca jewel among us,\u201d and she has been called \u201ca quiet giant.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re serving God, when you\u2019re being obedient, you don\u2019t know who you\u2019re influencing,\u201d Melvenia said. Her work in the community has included volunteering at the local rescue mission and the Agape Center for abused women.<\/p>\n
Pastor Ed Carey wrote to the nominating committee, \u201cDeacon Moore is one of those precious few who walk in unquestionable character and integrity and at the same time encourage others to do the same.\u201d He added, \u201cHis faithfulness to the Lord and to the church and is tireless efforts to promote the vision of the Kingdom has been a positive attribute that we all wish to emulate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Granberry said of Clarence, \u201cGod brought him from the streets to the church, and he has served faithfully as a man after the heart of God.\u201d His work outside the church has included feeding the hungry and homeless, as well as \u201cthe sure thing that he will stop to help someone when he sees them in need.\u201d<\/p>\n
The way each has overcome obstacles also has been a witness. In the late 1960s, Melvenia became the first black waitress in a restaurant chain that was similar to Stuckeys, she says. Her mother was a cook, and Melvenia also worked in the back.<\/p>\n
On occasions when the restaurant became too busy, one of the white waitresses would ask Melvenia to wait on one of her favorite customers. \u201cI liked it so much that I asked the manager if I could be a waitress,\u201d she recalls.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said he would have to call the national office, and they said it was okay as long as it didn\u2019t cost the restaurant any business,\u201d Melvenia says. The customers kept coming.<\/p>\n
\u201cI won two awards for first-class service,\u201d Melvenia says. \u201cIt was the greatest experience of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clarence\u2019s father left his family when Clarence was only three years old, and his stepfather left when he was 13.<\/p>\n
Clarence, who was the eldest of eight siblings, eventually dropped out of school in order to help provide for his brothers and sister. He hunted, fished, and worked in farm fields to help make ends meet and always gave his paychecks to his mother.<\/p>\n
Clarence has had to learn to read as an adult because of his lack of education and has benefitted from the ministry of others who Melvenia says God placed by his side. When Clarence had to obtain a commercial driver\u2019s license to drive trucks, he was unable to read the booklet for the test.<\/p>\n
He learned it, however, when a pastor repeatedly sang the words to him in order to help Clarence remember the requirements. The time paid off. He aced the test.<\/p>\n
That kind of dedication has helped him advance his career. \u201cHe retired with a white collar!\u201d Melvenia says proudly. The City Commission of Coral Gables issued a proclamation in his honor for outstanding leadership in helping lead the parks department. He also was named employee of the month.<\/p>\n
His early struggles helped form his heart to serve others. \u201cI just promised God that if I get to be a grown man, I would never leave my children. The love for others just grew from that.\u201d<\/p>\n
He never attended church until he was in his teens, when \u201ca sanctified woman who lived near us started taking me to a small Pentecostal church. They would help us. Other people would help us, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGod always surrounded me with good people,\u201d Clarence emphasizes. \u201cI can\u2019t take credit for nothing I\u2019ve done. It\u2019s always been God. He\u2019s always taken care of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clarence loves communicating that message to others, including the young people in his church. \u201cI tell it to them all the time,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful when young people want to be around you. They love the stories I have to tell them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The most important stories involve Melvenia, to whom he has been married for 44 years. \u201cShe comes from a real nice family so she\u2019s taught me how to love.\u201d For her part, Melvenia declares, \u201cI married a great man.\u201d<\/p>\n
The text of the plaque presented to the Moores reads:<\/p>\n