In a joint project with Willow Creek Association and World Vision, a church with 315 members was selected as the winner for an award – in the category of 'Courageous Leadership Award' – due to providing help to people affected by AIDS.
Bill Hybels, the senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, said that churches nominated in these categories were making their mark in helping the poor and those in need. He further said that this award was given to honour churches which were doing their part to help AIDS sufferers.
"These churches are making their mark, applying resources at their disposal to the needs of the hurting, the diseased, and the poor," says Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. "This award inspires leaders by honoring churches doing their part to help meet the holistic needs of those whose lives are devastated by AIDS."
The Fish Hoek Baptist Church, known as 'the church that cares,' was chosen as the winner from among nearly 100 entries and had received $120,000.
The Baptist Church with its congregation composing of predominantly white South Africans, "Demonstrated an uncompromising commitment to caring for all affected by AIDS and continually, fight increasing HIV-IDS compassion fatigue, or worse, indifference," quoted the press statement.
Hybels and Richard E. Stearns, president of the U.S. offices of World Vision, presented the awards on August 10 during a plenary session of The Leadership Summit 2007 - an annual training event for church leaders simulcast by the Willow Creek Association to more than 65,000 participants at 138 satellite host sites across North America.
"These churches have invested its members' lives in diligently delivering care and compassion to those who need it most," says Mr. Stearns. "They have shined a light for others to follow as we seek to help address the greatest humanitarian crisis of out time."
In addition, there were two runners up: West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, and Rockland Community Church in Golden, Colorado. They each will receive $40,000. Moreover, there were 12 churches receiving honorable mention awards, including one each from Uganda and Swaziland.
"When God's people do God's work in God's way, wonderful things happen," Pastor Thomas said after receiving the award.