Each year at our Ministers Meeting at MSIA’s Conference, we have the pleasure of celebrating ministers, typically two, who have inspired us with their exemplary service.  Ministers often comment that it is a highlight of the Conference Ministers Meeting experience.

So, how is it that these Ministers of the Year are chosen?  Well, that involves you, our ministerial body.  We rely on you to nominate those ministers who you have witnessed or experienced as inspiring, dedicated and devoted in their ministry.

Who chooses the ones who receive the award?  Well, in truth, Spirit does.  How does that happen?  Previous recipients of the award are invited to come together on Zoom. We call in the Light.  Then we read all the names of those ministers who have been nominated that year and the descriptions of their service as written by you – the ministers who have been inspired to nominate them.

With the slate of candidates established we call in the Light, remind ourselves to drop our personal favorites and ask for Spirit to make its choice through us. We generally start with over 20 candidates and typically two ministers emerge as clear choices.  So far, every time we have done this process the whole group has moved into consensus. Then it’s a matter of confirming with the Traveler that it’s spiritually clear for these people to receive the award.

Finally, the big reveal takes place at the Conference Ministers Meeting.

Historically, MSIA has presented Minister of the Year awards since 1974.  Who has received these awards over the years?  Well, we’re glad you asked:

Ministers of the Year

1974
Ted Drake
Vivian Joseph

1975
Genie Ford
Herbert Holmes

1976
Phil Anthony
Suzanne Herzfeld
Vera Sedler

1977
Ellen Holmes
Peter Meilen

1978
Floyd Davis
Yvonne Mochel

1979
Rick Greene
Jackie Peterson

1980
Jack Favor
Jan Shepherd

1981
Linda Boston
Ralph Johnson

1982
Rick Edelstein
Pauli Sanderson

1983
Alice Fisher
Reuben Paris

1984
John-Roger

1985
Laren Bright
Margrett Lyles Gary

1986
Glenn Barnett
Theresa Hocking

1987
Martin Hall
Timothea Stewart

1988
Gary Goldman
Jim Matson

1989
John Morton
Brad Pie
Susan Tabin

1990
Peter McWilliams
Sara Nahmias

1991
Phil Danza
Bryn Waern

1992
Ozzie Delgadillo
Katherine Hall

1993
Betsy Alexander
Nancy Carter

1994
Edith Knobloch
Fred-Victor Knobloch
Steve Shepherd

1995
Penelope Bright
Greg Fritz

1996
Marjorie Eaton
Holly Engelman

1997
Eric Delgadillo
Patti Rayner

1998
Rachael Jayne
David Morton

1999
Paul Kaye
Sally Kirkland

2000
Margie Antonetti
David Sand

2001
Joey Hubbard
Maria Teresa Kelber

2002
Ina Cristina Carbajal
Ruby Whang

2003
Deborah Martinez
Joan Shea

2004
Vincent Dupont
Greg Stebbins

2005
Candace Semigran
Ray Zumwalt

2006
John Morton (2nd time)
Stu Semigran

2007
Betsy Alexander (2nd time)
Jsu Garcia
Mark Lurie
Nathaniel Sharrat

2008
Lana Barreira
Michael Hayes

2009
Liz Bixby
Chris Haupt

2010
Mary Hulnick
Ron Hulnick
Richard Price

2011
Paul Mychaluk
Leigh Taylor-Young
Reymi Urrich

2012
Olga Abrams
Prince Iwuoha

2013
Marcos Cajina
Laurie Lerner
Pauli Sanderson (2nd time)

2014
Jack Espey
Mary Gahan

2015
Diana Berengue
Angel Harper

2016
Emeka Elechi
Martha Ringer

2017
Robert Waterman
Dottie Wells

2018
Steve Beimel
Elizabeth Frumin

2019
Stephen Beech
Maria Jose Marañon

2020
Hristina Kirimidchieva
Rachelle Zazzu

2021
Berti Klein
Carolina Rodriguez

Perhaps that list has “primed the pump,” so to speak.  Do you know of an MSIA minister whose service inspires you?

Now is the time to nominate them. Selections will be made in early May.  Nominations need be no longer than a paragraph or two, highlighting what the minister has done to move you to nominate them. Email your nomination to minboard@msia.org, cc to Laren@msia.org. Put “Minister of the Year” and the person’s name in the subject line.  We invite your nominations by no later than May 1.

We look forward to celebrating our 2022 Ministers of the Year with you at our Conference MSIA Ministers Meeting on June 26th. Be sure to save the date in your calendar. It’s the Conference of Joy, Fun and Laughter!