Central’s Servant Leadership Awards

CENTRAL — Central’s coveted Servant Leadership Award was presented to three local residents at the 2nd Annual Central Business Award ceremony.

The honors went to Dr. Tony and Judy LoBue and Blackie Bell.  The LoBues received the honor because of their anonymous work to keep the Central Student Prayer Banquet going.  For seven years, they worked with a team of volunteers and the united support of the churches and the business community in Central.  The student prayer banquet draws as many as 800 students together to learn more about the love of Christ.

Judy LoBue said one of the motivating forces behind the prayer banquet was a rash of teen suicides in Central some years ago.  The banquet is a way for the churches and businesses of Central to say to young people that we care about you.  Dr. Tony LoBue said, “I love the fact that it is Christians of all denominations coming together to worship and build their relationship with God.”  Judy said, “It’s fun to see Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, and many others worshiping together.”

Judy LoBue said that of the many speakers over the years, her favorite was Ron Heagy who was paralyzed from the neck down.  “I’m paralyzed from the neck down, what’s your excuse?” he asked.

See story on Blackie Bell at right.