The New Life 91.9 UnSung Hero for Week 5

Odaly's and Ariel Alvarez

Why they are an Unsung Hero:
Submitted by their friend, Aimee

Servanthood - A servant has no agenda, no focus on self. The only agenda a servant has in mind is the one of the person being served. This describes the Alvarez family. The Alvarez family moved from Cuba a few years ago to escape the political trouble and poverty. They knew that this move would change their lives but little did they know that God was going to bring them to him. When we first met the Alvarez family they were amazing, kind, friendly and sweet. We invited them to church with us but they weren't too sure, they had never been in a church because in Cuba it was illegal at the time they lived there. After getting to know them they finally agreed to come. That Sunday the whole family came to know the love of Christ. Since then the Alvarez family has been completely changed. They go out every Saturday to invite other Latin family's to church, while they are inviting them they offer to help that family in any way they need, and will go in these families homes and fix items that are broken and will clean. They are also the first family to give, recently they met another family who's house had burned down ( At that time both of the Alvarez's had been laid off of their jobs) they brought the other family in and gave them everything that they needed. Odaly's the Mom has an amazing gift of cleaning and organizing, and she will constantly go over to elderly family's home's and clean and help them with home projects free of charge. In the Webster dictionary the definition of "a hero is this a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal", I would say that the Alvarez family is a wonderful family that models what it is to love Christ and to serve him. They have had the amazing opportunity to lead many other families to Christ both in the states and in Cuba, through their acts of kindness and love.

Drop off your canned goods to:

Evangel Worship Center
484 Cabarrus Avenue West
Concord, NC 28027
Contact: 704.784.2761

The New Life 91.9 UnSung Hero for Week 4

David and Tanya Meachum

Why they are an Unsung Hero:
Submitted by their friend, Luanne

This family of 5 became a family of 8 a few years ago when they took into their hearts three young ladies who were victims of human trafficking. They put aside their own wants and needs and allowed God to transform them and in the process to redeem all the bad things that happened in the lives of their new daughters, who are now amazing conduits of God's love as well. It has been far from easy, but they have shown us and so many around them what it means to rely on God's grace day in and day out. They have had financial hardship, serious illness and life stresses that would make most couples crumble. They have rejoiced to see two sons called into the ministry and the third to a post teaching English overseas. Just as they did with their sons, they have stood by their daughters and pointed them steadfastly to the One who could heal every hurt and direct every step. They continue to cheer their children on as the girls venture off to college. Perhaps most amazing is that no matter the struggles they face as a family, they continue to serve those around them, teaching Sunday School, filling various roles at church and reaching out to folks in all walks of life. This family truly exemplifies the unlimited love of God.

Drop off your canned goods to:

Lee Park Baptist Church
200 Tomberlin Street
Monroe, NC 28112
Contact: 704.289.4674

The New Life 91.9 UnSung Hero for Week 3

Greg and Mia Pendarvis

Why they are an Unsung Hero:
Submitted by their friend, Kim

Greg and Mia began Victory Sports in Fort Mill in 2004 with about 40 kids. They have grown their ministry to over 400 kids in several sports. Most recently they added a special needs league for all ages. This couple gives our of their love for God and love for these children. Greg quit his full time job as a public school teacher and coach to follow the Lord's calling on their ministry. They give weeks out of their summer to host local sports camps as well as go on missions trips both locally and abroad. They work thankless hours setting up and taking down sports events. They share the love of God with our kids and their parents each and every week. Even though this is their families income source since quitting his full time job, they never turn away children who cannot afford to play. All are welcome regardless of physical or financial ability. They are truly an inspiration and unsung hero.

Drop off your canned goods to:

First Baptist Church of Fort Mill
121 Monroe White Street
Fort Mill, SC 29715
Contact: 803.547.2051

The New Life 91.9 UnSung Hero for Week 2

Darren and Karen Fuller

Why they are an Unsung Hero:
Submitted by their friend, Jamie

This is the most giving family I have ever known. They are foster parents as well as having biological children. They literally have fostered numerous kids and continue to have their home open. They have given and bought cars for people who couldn't afford transportation. They are Youth Pastors at their church and give of themselves so selflessly to evangelize unchurched teens in the Belmont area.  Many of the youth in their group do not have families who attend church. Darren volunteers as a coach for sports ministries, and Karen juggles side jobs in order to maintain a full time mother status to their children. At any given time they have as many as 6 to 8 children in their home. God has truly given them a generous heart. They are unlike any couple that I have ever met.

 

  Drop off your canned goods to:

East Belmont Church of God
320 Catawba Street
Belmont, NC  28012
 

The New Life 91.9 UnSung Hero for Week 1

The Scott Family
Submitted by their friend, Evan.

Why they are an Unsung Hero:

Bill and Betsy Scott are the definition of love in action. They balance full time jobs, raising two beautiful children they have adopted, and doing everything they can to spread Christ's love to the community. They volunteer at the Men's Shelter downtown, teach Sunday school, and daily set an example of what a Christian family should be. Bill has served on mission teams from our church both here and abroad, and Betsy is active in both her church circle and the United Methodist women.  My wife and I were fortunate enough to enjoy Disciple Bible Study that was led by, you guessed it, Bill and Betsy Scott. They also gently "nudged" us to attend the Walk to Emmaus, a 3 day spiritual retreat where you focus entirely on your relationship with Christ, and the experience has had a profound effect on our spiritual lives. They have been there for us and many others through joy and pain, and Christ's love shines through them. They have dealt with some very difficult issues of their own - Bill's father has dealt with some very severe medical issues, as has their oldest child as well, yet even under very difficult circumstances they never fail to express joy, pure and simple at being children of God. I have been fortunate enough to hear Bill share his testimony from the pulpit of our church and can enthusiastically say that not only does Bill walk the walk - he does a wonderful job when he has the opportunity to "talk the talk" as well. Bill and Betsy do not make a point of drawing attention to themselves, they make a point of drawing attention to Christ. However, in light of their service to Dilworth United Methodist Church and the Charlotte community as a whole, I want to draw attention to them and the work they do for Christ. They are a wonderful spiritual compass - pointed to our heavenly Father.

Drop off your canned goods to: 

Dilworth Child Development Center on the campus of
Dilworth United Methodist Church
605 East Boulevard
Charlotte, NC  28203
Contact:  704.333.4173