 have been here to date. So we're gonna go ahead and get started. You all with our program as follow for the second annual Reverend Dr. Christopher Vaughn Cockrell Leadership Award. So we appreciate and we acknowledge the life of Dr. Christopher Vaughn Cockrell here at New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church is serving as our pastor. Um and then as well, we recognize him for the work that he did here in the Burlington community in Greater Vermont, as well as things he did across the world by his time on Earth. Um so again, thank you. We welcome you all that's here in the building with us at the Richard Kim Center here today. Um as well, we acknowledge those that are on the zoom. Um as well, we acknowledge the two recipient recipients of the award today. Um but we would also like to take time and give a round of applause to the family of Dr. Christopher Vaughn Cockrell as well. So you all we're gonna follow the program as printed. Um so um at this time frame, I might ask Reverend Hughes if he'll come up and open this up with prayer this afternoon. Thank you. Let us pray. Eternal God, we thank you. Father, we thank you for an opportunity to be here once again. God, we thank you for bringing us together, but we also God, we bless you that it is an opportunity for us to celebrate in our unity. Father, we thank you also that you've given us an opportunity to reflect upon a man who's made a difference in this church. And Lord, I pray as we come together this afternoon and we lift up these folks who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in our communities that we remember Lord God that it is by your power and it is by your might. It is by your strength, Lord God, that any of this is possible because we are in dude with these natural talents and skills and abilities only by you, oh God. So we thank you, Father God, that we can keep focus on keeping the main thing the main thing today, Lord God, and that is you. So we bless you. We honor you. We give you the highest praise, oh God. We pray that you would be amongst us in this place in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. All right. So while Reverend Hughes is coming back up to the podium, you all I I felt a knowledge and say who I am that will be me MC your service for today. So for those in the service in the sanctuary and those that are on zoom and those who have not met me, my name is Joe Buford, and I serve here as a deacon in New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church. So at this time frame, we're gonna go into our musical selection, which will be the Negro National Anthem led by Reverend Hughes. Standing up. Black National Anthem stand for the Black National Anthem, please. Lift every voice and sing till earth and heaven ring ring with the humble knees of liberty. Let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies. Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark has taught us. Sing a song full of the hope that the presence has brought facing the rising sun. Let us march on till victory. Stony the road he tried. Bit of a chair felt in the days we had died. Stay home to the place for which our father sighed. Way that the tears have been watered. We treading our path through the blood of the sloth. Till now we stand where the white gleam of our bright star of our wheat. Thou who has brought us far. Thou who has brought us far. Thou might lead us into the keep us forever in the path. We pray. Star feet stray from the places our God where we met thee. Let our heart drunk with the wine of the world we forget. Shadow beneath thy head. True to our God. True to our name. Amen. Thank you Reverend Hughes for leading us in that national anthem. So you all at this time frame we're gonna ask that Deacon Winston-Longmore he's gonna come forward and read for us our scripture reading for today and then follow by that will be the the name of church history reading by sister Christine Hughes. So for those that are online Deacon Longmore will be reading from 2nd Timothy chapter number four versus five through seven. So at this time frame as Deacon Longmore to come forward. Thank you. Amen. It's blessed to be here with everybody today celebrating just what just celebrating yeah celebrating what our pastor just left for us and what he's gonna continue to do even though he may not physically be here with us. Amen. He had a huge impact on Noel from this community. So I like to read I'm I'll be reading 2nd Timothy chapter four reading and verses five through seven. Amen. I'm reading the King James version and it's going to read but you be watchful and all things endure afflictions. Do the work of an evangelist fulfill your ministry for I am already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Amen. So at this time you all will have sister Christine Hughes with our name at church reading. It's such a blessing to be here. What an honor it is to be remembering Pastor Cockrell this way and to be honoring members of our community for their leadership and their courage. And this is I always have so much fun reading our history. There might be some things that are actually left out of here but I'm going to do my best with this because we're so proud. We new alpha is black history right. Black history is American history and we really like the idea of celebrating local history and local members of our community. A lot of folks are you know bringing in all the big name people and all of that but we feel like as a community and as a church that was established in Burlington Vermont we want to honor our local leaders. So that's a little bit of the background of this new alpha missionary Baptist church. A member of the American Baptist Conference and the United Baptist Convention of New Hampshire in Massachusetts was founded in 1989 by Pastor Rodney Patterson in Burlington Vermont the largest city in the state. It opened to serve God and worships in the African American tradition. The church's debut was reported nationwide in the newspapers including the Burlington Free Press, Los Angeles Times, the New York Times as well as Jet Magazine. Reverend Patterson arrived in Burlington in July 1988 to accept an administrative position at the University of Vermont. On September 25th of that year he founded New Alpha Mission. It was housed at Christ Christ Church Presbyterian Church on the University's Redstone campus. New Alpha's congregation included town and gown attendees from UVM and nearby Vermont campuses such as Middlebury College and Northfield University US that's a US military academy in Vermont and from Platsburg also from military bases plus black and white neighbors foreign and domestic from local and regional communities. On February 5th 1989 was the founding ceremony of New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church making it the first black church officially established in Vermont. Reverend Gordon Humphrey Sr. Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church of Chicago along with 32 of his church members and the Reverend Jerome Lee of Spring Creek Baptist Church were present to help organize and launch New Alpha. Like God's word, the New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church congregation is supportive of all who seek the way the truth and the light from Genesis through Revelation. In 1989, New Alpha's outreach initiatives began in earnest by supporting hilltop light ministry's mission to Africa and the church's choirs ministering at civic affairs that included Martin Luther King celebrations, commencements and Burlington Jazz Festival. Outreach ministry also included prison visits and other services. Resurrection Sunday 1990, another long-standing tradition began when New Alpha fed homeless community members in Burlington. In 1990, New Alpha launched its first gospel fest, which was ecumenical in spirit and held on the UVM Redstone campus. In 1991, New Alpha relocated to the first congregational church, United Church of Christ whose pastor was the late Reverend Robert Lee. This site made New Alpha more accessible to the greater Burlington community. In spring 1994, founder Patterson left New Alpha for a position at Michigan State University. Reverend Keith Bigelow and other ministers pastored for one year. Reverend James Williams Sr. was called to New Alpha pastor and he was installed July 9th, 1995. He served for two years. In 1997, New Alpha prayerfully launched a steering committee to find its next pastor. Meanwhile, the church family continued the annual gospel fest tradition, moving to the Flynn Theater in 2000 for a service of praise and worship in concert with the Burlington Ecumenical Choir. Reverend Leroy Dixon accepted the call to pastor at New Alpha on October 1st, 2000. To God be the glory. From 2000 to 2016, under Reverend Dixon's leadership, many ministries and church family traditions were established. In 2001, New Alpha formed its first Children's Gospel Fest Choir led by sister Evelyn and sister Deb Harris. Many gospel fest concerts were held under leadership of Dr. Wanda heading Grant with the help of so many others like music minister Dr. Dexter Chris, Minister John Hagwood, local businesses, local musicians and the Burlington Ecumenical Choir. Regular weekly Bible study was established, fishes and loaves ministry served homeless, provided holiday baskets, sponsored sock drives back to school drives and faithfully served community members in need. And we're still doing that. HIV AIDS ministry and a prison ministry were also established. New members classes were held, babies were dedicated, baptisms were held at First Baptist Church. This is where it gets good, right? Marriages performs adult choir, Reverend Ramona, Dela Cruz, Guadalupe of Hezboah house church ministries was ordained. Deacons and Deaconesses were ordained. August family outings were established. Christian Education Department established Vacation Bible School Youth Choir under the direction of then deaconess Margaret Burgess who's now Reverend Burgess, usher board and men's fellowship, church revivals back to church Sunday campus outreach, joint worships. We've been busy joint worship Sundays, women's prayer breakfast, land evangelism ministry, Juneteenth gospel concert and a women's auxiliary. Another musician that I am leader in the church of Sister Mary Guillory and from the amen from 2016 to 2020 during this time while we were without a pastor, New Alpha was blessed to have many local and out of state preachers don't join us to deliver the word under the direction of Deacon Grant. Assistant assistance from Reverend Dale Edwards and the steering committee. Our pulpit was supplied and praise be to God. Some of our guest preachers include Reverend Joseph Casango and his wife Catherine Casango, Reverend Bob Wyand, Trevor Hambridge, Reverend Patrick Jackson, Reverend Joseph Ataman from Ethiopia, Reverend Karen Mendez, Bishop Don Ray, Reverend's Keith and Bobby Bagley, Reverend Ola Tynes, Reverend Kenneth Young, Reverend Sean Thompson, Reverend Jeff Williams, Reverend Dixon and even our founding pastor Rodney Patterson came back and blessed us with a couple sermons here and there and worked with us on on our gospel fest that we managed to squeeze in right before the pandemic. And of course, our own ministers, Reverend Junior Selman, Reverend Burgess and Deacon Grant, Reverend Dr. Christopher Von Cockrell was hired as interim pastor. This is starting in 2020 up to 2022. Reverend Dr. Christopher Von Cockrell was hired as interim pastor in June 2020 while we continue to pray for a permanent pastor. New Alpha began its first virtual Sunday worship service in March 2020. We presented our last live gospel fest at the Flynn. Even in the midst of trouble, we continued expecting greater. Tuesday night, Bible study and Friday night prayer hour were established. Watch night service was established in 2020. Virtual gospel fest was held in March 2021. We installed Pastor Cockrell on May 15, 2021. The women in the upper room ministry was established under the leadership of our late pastor, Reverend, Reverend Dr. Christopher Von Cockrell. And in the middle of a pandemic, our church has grown. Praise God, we have out. We have held outdoor services and supported the Black Lives Matter March in Battery Park, provided backpacks for children. Thanksgiving baskets handed for gift cards to children and children and families in our community. Thanks to Sister Tanya Mitchell's leadership and generous donations from the Buford family and Sister Juané Buford, who donated three 32 laundry baskets with cooking utensils along with feeding Chitin's donation of 35 turkeys. We were challenged by Pastor, Pastor Cockrell to raise money for our building fund. Our instructions were get 221 people to give $21 each. It was the women against the men. That was fun. Our deadline was December 31, 2020. The women won the competition. Praise God. We participated and we did. It wasn't a scandal. We won. We participated. Hey, we participated in the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance's annual first African landing day with our outreach ministry in the gospel brunch with Platsburg State Gospel Choir at the city of Burlington R.E.I.B.'s office, office's first citywide Juneteenth celebration last summer. And some of the four, I don't know. Reverend Mark Hughes, my husband, preached for the first time at New Alpha in 2020. New Alpha had its first virtual Kwanzaa celebration led by sister Adline Robertson. Many of our children and grandchildren brought forth their presentations of success through the year and plans for their future. As a church family, we have been blessed with deacons and training, a new church secretary, new members, new ministers, new babies, new marriages. By the grace of God, New Alpha has over the years gained many victories and suffered losses. We honor all the lives that have gone on to glory and especially the lives of youth we have lost with the passing of Al Michael Robertson and Dalton Chris. Gone too soon. To God be the glory for all the things he has done. Amen. Amen, New Alpha family and friends. What a what a what a such a beautiful church history. Just to put that out there for everyone that may not be familiar with New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church and to hear all the great things that have happened in New Alpha and the things that are continuing to happen and what the future holds for New Alpha. So, you all, we have a lot to be thankful for. We've been blessed. We've been through ups and down, but New Alpha is still standing here. We've had some very strong church leaders come through New Alpha in this New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church to be relevant, present here in the Burlington and greater community. So we appreciate their great works. And that's another reason, you all, while we're here today for this second annual Dr. Christopher Vaughn Cockrell Leadership Award. It's to acknowledge them. As sister Christine said, we're knowledging those in our community that we know that we work with and that we see that we see on a day to day basis. So we're going to continue on with the program as blended. At this time frame, we'll have remarks by our very own Reverend Barbara Lynch Bell from New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church. So at this time, Reverend Bell, we're turning it over to you. So, Reverend Bell, if you are, if you're speaking right now, you're muted. So we'll give it a we'll give it a second here. You all, if if we're unable to get Reverend Reverend Bell on the phone for remarks, we're going to proceed as follows in the program and then up next will be Sister Adeline. So we'll give it another five seconds. And so to see Reverend Bell, if you're on the line right now. You hear me? Yes, we can hear you. Amen. We're turning it over to you now, Reverend Bell, for remarks. We can hear. Amen. It is it is a blessing to to it's a blessing to be where we are today and to be able to honor you on behalf of Pastor Cockrell. When I when I sat and I thought about what I could possibly say as I began to think about Reverend Cockrell and his leadership abilities and who he was as a leader, who he is as a leader because he still lives on in our hearts. And Reverend Cockrell was a builder. As a leader, you have to learn one how to follow and he follows some great leaders along his journey. Then he began to have a vision for everything in every one day. He came and contacted you. And I know that sounds kind of strange, but he was a visionary. He is a visionary. His vision still lives on in us today to be spiritually astute and knowledgeable and to be able to lead no matter where we where we are and where we're going. And as we honor those today who are receiving this award. I don't take it like lightly because when I think about just yesterday being his birthday, Pastor Cockrell's birthday, it's a great time to honor one. And when I look back over his leadership in my life, he taught me how to stand. He taught me how to endure. He taught me how to see beyond the norm of whatever it is wherever I am to know the abilities that God has given me. He's a great leader. He's a great leader. I told Sister Christine last night, yesterday, Reverend Tucker will have new alpha and those who knew him owning the state of Vermont. He's that he was that inspiring. He was that encouraging. He was that much of a builder. He had hopes and dreams. And as you go from this day forward when you receive this award today, keep that inspiration, pick it up, take it, go with it. The encouragement to be able to encourage others, to strengthen others, to guide others, to lead others. Reverend Tucker and I'm going to close by saying that he was one. He is one that left a mark on the world. And as you receive this award as leaders, as as markmakers, go inspiring knowing that this is not just about you only, but it's what you've done with those in the community, in the schools, wherever you are, wherever you're going. I just want to encourage you to pick up the spirit of Reverend Tucker to be able to build others, strengthen others, guide others, lead others, encourage others. That makes a great leader. So as I close right now, we give God the glory, the praise and the honor for our leader, Pastor, the late, great Reverend Dr. Christopher Bunn-Cockwell and to you, New Africa. I pray that as you go forward from this second annual leadership awards that you be strengthened and you grow and you remember all that he taught us and know the spirit that he had leading him and guiding him, that he wants us to walk in in the name of Jesus. Amen. Good to see you all. Amen. Thank you, Reverend Bell. And we appreciate those humbling words. And to the war recipients, we're also glad to look and see within you all as well that you exhibit some of those same leadership characteristics as the Dr. Christopher Bunn-Cockwell. And we look forward to seeing how you continue to matriculate and grow in your own right self. So at this time frame, I'm going to turn it over to Sister Adeline Robertson, and she's going to go over the dynamic Black History Month proclamation reading. Thank you. Wonderful celebration. Great honor today. I do like us to just say a happy birthday, belated birthday because our late great as Mr. Bravo would say, Reverend Christopher Bunn-Cockwell, his birthday was yesterday. So it's so fitting that today we're celebrating him and honoring those in leadership on his behalf. So happy birthday. Happy birthday to our late pastor. So the new Alpha Missionary Baptist Church Resolution, creation of the Reverend Dr. Christopher Bunn-Cockwell Leadership Award was established on February the 25th, 2022. The resolution resets. Whereas Reverend Dr. Christopher Bunn-Cockwell was anointed and appointed to pastor and lead new Alpha Missionary Baptist Church from June 2020 till November 30th, 2021, and labored tirelessly teaching and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. And whereas Reverend Dr. Christopher Bunn-Cockwell ministered to new Alpha Missionary Baptist Church and the broader community with deep love, always expressing the Lord's grace in his own life and affirmative to those historically overlooked and underserved preaching the word to new Alpha Missionary Baptist Church and the Burlington community in simplicity, clarity, and with great power, transforming lives of many. And whereas Reverend Dr. Christopher Bunn-Cockwell served as a catalyst to unite the people of new Alpha Missionary Baptist Church, the greater Burlington community and national friends and family and worship and fellowship, study and prayer, outreach, education, and spiritual support throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic. But it resolved that in honor of the late pastor Bunn-Cockwell, there is established the Reverend Dr. Christopher Bunn-Cockwell Leadership Award and being further resolved that the church historian of New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church shall memorize the faithful service and outstanding leadership of Reverend Dr. Christopher Bunn-Cockwell by placing this resolution on record. Amen? Amen. Thank you, Sister Adeline, for that wonderful reading you all and for that proclamation. At this time frame, Sister Tanya Mitchell. OK, I thought Sister Tanya and Brother Richard was about to say they were about to come out, like a duet or something. So Sister Angie, you're still online, Sister Angie. Sister Angie at AMB. So no, in all seriousness, you all, those that didn't know Pastor Cockwell, he was also a jokester. So we're going to go back to being serious again. And maybe here later, we can go to Costco's and get that gas and that hot dog and slice a piece of it. So at this time frame, yeah, oh, yeah, Walmart, yeah. So at this time frame, we're going to turn it over to Sister Tanya. She's going to bless us with a song at this time frame. Amen. God bless everybody. This is a blessing. This is history. This has changed being broken. Yes, I see change falling off. I just thank the Lord for that, because God is so good. When I see my daughter sitting here, I see how far we came from when I was 16 years old. And basically, we were brother and sister, mother and daughter. That didn't make no sense. But yeah, yeah, get it? OK. But as I sit here, and I'm thankful, I'm thankful for how far we have come. And I see that God has answered prayers. He answered my prayers when I was on my knees. You know, at 18, talking about give us a fresh start, Father, because I want to be a good mother to her. You know, and my children. So I just thank the Lord and He's blessed us. I'm sorry to give you out of the speech. Well, I'm going to sing a song, y'all all know. Because of who you are, I give you glory. Because of who you are, I give you praise. To finish down there in New Orleans, when Pastor Cock will be like, baby, you on program tomorrow, the next Sunday, and the Sunday after that. He'll be Peacock proud to hear you deliver that song that way. So we appreciate you and your obedience. There's us to tying it. Thank you. Thank you. And may God continue to bless you and your family. We've all had family members that gone through some similar situations and trials. But to see where you are now and where you're progressing, that's that matriculation I was talking about earlier that, y'all, we got a lot to be thankful for. And you know, the task that lies ahead of us is never greater than the power which is behind us, right? Giving thanks and honor to glory to God for that. Amen. Amen. So you all, at this time in our program, I'm going to turn it back over to Sister Adline Robertson. And she's going to come up and we're going to proceed with our award presentation at this time frame. Amen. Oh, before we do that, I'll apologize. So Pastor Cockrell's daughter, Kristen Cockrell, is on it. We want to turn the floor over to Kristen Cockrell and family. See, she has any comments or remarks that she would like to say before we begin with the awards presentation. So Sister Kristen, the floor is turned over to you and your family. Amen. Good morning. Good morning. Can everyone hear me? Good morning. Can everyone hear me say congratulations to the participants for today, to the new Alpha Missionary Baptist Church, who has been amazing. I'm so happy to see you guys still thriving, just so that all of my problems are passing. But I just want to say congratulations, and I hope to see you guys with Kristen next year. Amen. Hey, thank you, Kristen. Thank you. Thank you. So I'm going to turn it over now. Sister Adline, the floor is yours. Thank you, Sister Kristen Cockrell. We are grateful. Well, I am honored to present these awards to some fabulous young women in our community. The first award I would like to present, the Reverend Dr. Christopher Vaughn Cockrell Leadership Award for the adult was nominated to Tanisha McGree. And we call her TT. So TT, if you would please come and stand with me. Amen. Amen. So the Reverend Dr. Christopher Vaughn Cockrell Leadership Award, February 25, 2023. The Reverend Dr. Christopher Vaughn Cockrell Leadership Award recognizes outstanding leadership in the Greater Burlington community. Tanisha McGee is recognized for her outstanding leadership and exceptional contribution to the Greater Burlington community. Tanisha's leadership started where it matters most, in her home. From her early years, she led by example, caring for her and serving as a mentor, role model, and friend to her siblings. As you stated, when her mother came up so elegantly, proudly talked about her. Her strength, independence, and tenacity led to her future engagements in employment at the Boys and Girls Club, where she would direct her acquired skills towards community speaking into the lives of countless youth in Burlington, including my own grandchildren. Thank you. She completed both high school and her associates in Vermont, where Tanisha was recognized for academic achievement. Mrs. McGee continues to serve the youth of her community as a teacher at the Integrated Arts Academy in the Burlington School District. Yes, amen. TT has served in this crucial role in Burlington over the last five years. Notable and reflected of the labor of her love, she continued serving the youth of our community, where her passion started well over a dozen years ago, a dozen, 12, OK? The Boys and Girls Club in Burlington, TT loved and committed to the youth of our community are a shining example of an outstanding leadership which will leave an inevitable print on the lives of the youth in our community for generations to come. Her commitment, devotion, and attention to details have earned her a distinction that will never be forgotten. Recipient of the Reverend Dr. Christopher von Cockrell Leadership Adult Award goes to TT, amen. So just so you know that her resolution will go in there. The resolution of New Alpha, her letter will go in there, and she also have a wonderful gift, a nice gift card. Thank you. Want to say some words? I want to thank everyone, and I appreciate it. I want to thank my mom for giving birth to me. It ain't bad. And being the best leader, I know. So thank you so much. Yes. So we have another award. So this award is for the Youth Award. And this award will go to someone that's dear to my heart, my beloved granddaughter, Niaela Mitchell. So New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church, the Reverend Dr. Christopher von Cockrell Leadership Award. February 25, 2023, I'm sorry. The Reverend Dr. Christopher von Cockrell Leadership Award recognizes outstanding leadership in the greater Burlington community. Niaela Mitchell is recognized for her outstanding leadership and exceptional contribution to the greater Burlington community. Niaela has demonstrated leadership through academic excellence, reflecting in her continuous attainment of honor role over the vast majority of her academic career. Sharing her talents in theater, dance, and vocal endeavors, like the Vermont Resistance Revival Choir and Gospel Fest, the power of Ms. Mitchell's expression is always on the forefront and uplifting for all who experience her. She has shown commitment in the areas of activism through initiatives like her creation of social media platforms to enable Black youth discussions on racism. She also revitalized the Social Justice Club and has been known for speaking truth to the power and pointing out and calling injustices such as discriminatory, disciplinary processes and curriculum shortcomings in her school. She has also led her team in calling out other teams into accountability for inappropriate racist behaviors. Mrs. Mitchell's athletic leadership is unparable as a second year basketball varsity starter, freshman, MVP, and captain of her team in her sophomore year. She has demonstrated, she has dominated the sports and stands out as one of, if not the best, in the state of Vermont. Go, Niaela. Leading the team in points, rebounds, and blocks. Niaela Mitchell's academic, athletic, and racial justice leadership distinguished her as a bona fide youth leader. Her commitment, devoted and attention to details, has earned her a distinction that will never be forgotten. Recipient of the Reverend Dr. Christopher Von Cockrell Youth Leadership Award is Niaela Mitchell. I just want to say thank you all for coming and supporting me, TT. And I think I would say I really thank my parents because they're the ones who get you there. Really supportive. My dad always comes to my games when he can. He's always loud. And I love that about him. My mom's always been supportive, making sure I have what I need. But yeah, I'm going to continue to do great and make this community proud. Thank you. Wait, hold on. So also, Niaela will receive her citation, the award letter, and also she has a gift inside as well. Thank you all. Yeah, this is the important parts. Thank you all. Thank you, thank you. Congratulations again to the award recipients, sister TT and sister Niaela. You all keep up the great awesome work that you all are doing. Respectfully, you know, Frederick Douglass once said, without no struggle, there is no progress. And we look towards to seeing again, you all, your growth and your development and the opportunities that you all have in store for you all. So before I turn over to Reverend Hughes, I'm going to check with Deacon Grancy if there's anything. We're good. Check with the Richard Kemp director. Sister Christine, we're good. All right. Hey, so before we give this public service announcement, again, I want to say thank you to the family of Dr. Christopher Von Cockrell for all of, for, we appreciate Dr. Christopher Von Cockrell for his service here at New Alpha in Burlington and also Greater Vermont, as well as First Lady Cockrell, Sister Christine, and then also Christopher, and then also their lovely grandbabies. So also I want to say thank you to the Richard Kemp Center for allowing us to use this wonderful facilities here, as well as to the New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church for putting on this wonderful, amazing event here at the Richard Kemp Center. To our award recipients, again, congratulations. Congratulations. Yeah. Yeah. And also I want to say thank you as well to those who are in service with us today in this fellowship, as well as those that are on the Zoom watching this. And also thank you for meeting the TV channel. Seventeen is also here recording this wonderful event for us for people to see in perpetuity into the future. So we appreciate, we acknowledge you, we're thankful. I turn over to Reverend Hughes. Somebody say amen. Somebody say amen again. That was a good time. You know, we started late because we black folks. And but still, if you look at your clock, we finished on time. So let me, for those who are in the room, you don't know this, but there was, there's 10 to maybe 12 to 15 other folk that was online the entire time. Let me just say that one more time. So it's 10 to maybe 12 or 15 other folks online the entire time. And as I'm counting the folk in the room, you count them, is we had a pretty good full house. And this is just the second year. I know there's a lot of other stuff that's happening, happening across town and other things that have happened because it's Black History Month. So that's what we do. But I just want to thank all of y'all for stopping just for a minute today to acknowledge these folks here. Because these guys, these are the heavy hitters. These are the legacy makers. These are the folks that are making the moves for us tomorrow. I'll be 60 next week. I'm almost done. Okay. So these are the folks that are going to carry this thing forward. So this is a big deal. Let me just give a couple of shout outs real quick. Okay. I want to, I want to thank my wife, Christine Hughes, Sister Hughes for really being in the struggle, really being in the struggle. I'm the one to get the front row seat and I get the flag that goes with it. But it's, but it's, but I just really, honey, I really want to thank you for all of the hard work that you put into this because I was watching you. I was watching you and I was helping you. Hey, man. That's what he used to say, right? Let me, let me also give a special shout out to my dear sister, Adline, who's really always behind the scenes and doing that work. I love you. I love you. We were talking on the phone this morning. I said, I know you want to choke me. And I know I want to choke you too. She said, she said, I don't want to choke you as much as you think I do. But she didn't say she didn't want to choke me though. Hey, man. But let me just leave you with this though because it's a conversation that we had this morning. Well, let me finish. Deacon Grant, thank you so much for being an integral part as you always are. And showing up with the money too. Hey, man. And let me see. Yeah, for all everybody who are involved in this process, it's because this is good. This is good for us to do good stuff. So back to sister Adline. I just want to leave you with this. We're having that conversation this morning and this is what we said. This is serious now for a minute. I'm just going to take you serious for a minute. It's just, I said, you know, I said it's really about us loving on each other along the way. Because I know this is probably not going to turn out as nice as we would like it to be. It's probably not going to be as much, it's not going to be everything we imagined, but it will be exactly what God wants it to be. And the journey that we take along the way is what's important. As we walk through this process, as we take steps, incremental steps together, together along the way as we build these things together, that is what counts to the Lord. It is how we treat one another. It's how we love on one another along the way. How we are patient with one another and how we are kind to one another along the way. So I thank you. I thank you for the opportunity. Even though, you know, it didn't seem like it was going to come together at the end, it came together. Exactly the way God wanted it to come together. Amen. Get up on your feet. Father God, I thank you for all of those who come. Father, I thank you for everybody that's online right now. I thank you for every single person and every family that's represented here. And Father God, I pray that you would plant in the hearts and the minds of those who have come, Lord, our responsibility to look after one another, to care for one another, to check in every now and then, to edify the church, Lord. It is our job to lift one another up. God, you said in your word that it's most important that we love you with everything that we have and that we love our neighbor as we love ourselves. God, help us not to forget that. Help us to remember, Lord, that everything we need is in the body. And if we just come to the body, we will have everything that we need and everything that we desire. Keep us together, Lord God. Help us to remember, Lord, that it is your will that we would love one another, that we would care for one another, that that is what is most important to you and that we would glorify you, God, that we would lift you up, that we would give you all of the glory and the honor and the praise, Lord God, because it is you, it is you alone who are worthy today, oh God. We bless you, we honor you, God. We give you all the glory and the honor and the praise because that is what we were made for to worship you, oh God. So we thank you today, Father God. Keep everyone who is here. Keep everyone who is online, Lord God. Bring us back together on tomorrow, Lord, for your worship service in this place, in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen, amen, and amen.