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In introducing the couple, President Glenn Palmberg said, \u201cI think this is probably a first – Ray and Doris had the privilege of having T.W. Anderson stay in their home.<\/p>\nGRAND RAPIDS, MI (June 16, 2006) – Ray and Doris Johnson of Bethany Covenant Church in Du Bois, Pennsylvania, were named the recipients of the T.W. Anderson Award today during the 121st Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church. <\/p>\n
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
In introducing the couple, President Glenn Palmberg said, \u201cI think this is probably a first – Ray and Doris had the privilege of having T.W. Anderson stay in their home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis church is literally built upon people like you,\u201d Palmberg continued. After the president had recounted all they had done as servants, Doris turned to her husband and quipped, \u201cI don\u2019t remember doing all that. Do you remember doing all that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Receiving the award with an obvious gentle and genuine humility, Doris said, \u201cWe accept this award for all the Covenanters out there who deserve it more than we do.\u201d<\/p>\n
As much as the Johnson\u2019s were humble, the praise of their former pastors was extravagant.<\/p>\n
\u201cRay and Doris have simply loved the Lord and their church,\u201d wrote their former pastor John Kepler in his letter supporting the nomination. \u201cIn all my years of ministry, this Christian couple would be at the top of my list of modeling out the Christian faith and churchmanship for today\u2019s generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ray and Doris have served Bethany Covenant for more than 60 years. Their pastor Donald Ostrom nominated the couple, writing that \u201cnow in their 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s, they are experiencing the limitations of age, but continue involvement in caring for those who are ill, leading the prayer chain ministry and being \u2018spiritual parents\u2019 to the church family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kepler recalled Doris commenting to him, \u201cI\u2019d rather wear out than rust.\u201d This despite having suffered several heart attacks, including one that occurred on Easter morning while she was singing a duet.<\/p>\n
Ray has served nearly every leadership role, including chairman, vice chair, treasurer and trustee. Doris has served on the diaconate and as treasurer, as well as directing the choir.<\/p>\n
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The couple mentored younger members of the congregation and encouraged them to step into leadership roles, even as the Johnsons stepped aside. They continued to support and mentor the new leaders.<\/p>\n
In addition to mentoring new leaders, Ray and Doris ministered to children and youth, having been Hi-League counselors and vacation Bible school leaders.<\/p>\n
People often have praised them for their devoted prayer lives that include praying for each member of the congregation every day and leading the church\u2019s prayer chain. The couple strongly supported World Vision and Covenant missions. They were involved with Child Evangelism Fellowship and hosted Good News Clubs in their homes for 18 years.<\/p>\n
Working as an optician for more than 70 years, Ray has contributed thousands of pairs of eyeglasses to Jamaica and Central America, refurbishing all of the glasses donated by fixing, cleaning and marking the correct prescription for all of them.<\/p>\n
Doris sang for revivals and different evangelists, including an early Billy Graham Crusade. She also recorded an album of Christian music.<\/p>\n
If the Johnsons didn\u2019t remember \u201cdoing all that,\u201d their friends and pastors haven\u2019t forgotten.<\/p>\n
Copyright \u00a9 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.<\/p>\n