Past Educators of the Year
The Division of Christian Education instituted the Billie Davis Award of Excellence in Christian Education in 1994. It was named for Dr. Billie Davis, author and Christian educator, who has given many years of her life to uplifting the teaching ministry in the church. Billie was the first recipient of the Educator of the Year award. A plaque with the honorees’ names is displayed at the Assemblies of God headquarters in Springfield, Missouri. Each person received congratulatory letters from the general superintendent and other leaders. Their churches received complimentary curriculum from Radiant Life.
Any teacher in an Assemblies of God church is eligible to receive the award. An application is included on this web page.
The following vignettes of past Educators of the Year are excerpted from articles that were published in the Christian Education Counselor.
Carlos Rodriguez, Sr., 2001 Educator of the Year
Carlos, his wife, Diana, and their three boys are members of Emmanuel Worship Center Assembly of God, Lubbock, Texas. Carlos’ love for the Lord and his dedication in teaching God’s Word are quickly evident upon meeting him. He is a testimony to the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, having been an alcoholic for 5 years.
Raymundo Almaraz, Carlos’ pastor says, "When we hear the word commitment, the Rodriguez family stands out. His wife is the director of children’s church, which has an average attendance of 85 children every Sunday morning. Aaron, their 16-year-old son, is very active in youth ministries and the drama team. C.J. and Jaime, 14 and 12 years old respectively, participate in children’s church and Royal Rangers."
Besides the Sunday School department, Carlos is involved in other ministries as well. He is vice president of men’s ministries, the overseer of youth ministries, the instructor of the Wednesday night discipleship class, and one of the trainers for the new members classes.
"You can always anticipate Carlos to go beyond the call of duty as a Sunday School teacher," Pastor Almaraz continues. "He is the first one at the church – unlocking the church doors, turning on the lights, and ensuring that everything is in order to begin ministering to all who walk through the doors of Emmanuel Worship Center. He even has the coffee brewing."
Having a teacher’s heart, Carlos graduated in May 2002 from the Lubbock Section Night Bible School. He plans to continue his studies in Christian education. Carlos is a loyal, faithful teacher and leader. In his 6 years of teaching Sunday School, Carlos has taught the middlers and the high school teens. He currently teaches the college and career class. Every class Carlos teaches has seen an increase in number and participation.
Carlos is the epitome of a Sunday School teacher. He is an example of a man with a servant’s heart. The congregation of Emmanuel Worship Center Assembly of God rejoices along with his extremely proud family in Carlos’ being named Teacher of the Year.
Marilyn Wolle, 2000 Educator of the Year
Marilyn Wolle, of Covington, Tennessee, has been involved in some phase of Christian education for nearly 20 years. She has served as a children’s church leader; Missionettes leader, youth group leader; Royal Rangers commander; and, with her husband David, a Marriage Enrichment workshop teacher. Currently She is an adult Sunday School teacher. In addition, she is the pastor’s secretary, church treasurer, and mother of two sons.
Tobie Griffin, Sunday School director at First Assembly, describes Marilyn as "devoted to her church, her pastor, and most of all to Jesus Christ." Pastor Burkholder adds, "Marilyn is a first-class educator [who] strives to better herself with every opportunity."
That is evident from the many training courses Marilyn has taken, including those from the Women’s Ministries Department, Royal Rangers, All Church Training Series (ACTS), and district and sectional conferences.
Roxanne Alpaugh, 1999 Educator of the Year
Roxanne Alpaugh is a member of the Assembly of God in Clinton, New Jersey. Her interest in seeing young people come to know Christ and grow in Him has motivated Roxanne to serve as a children's and teen teacher, Sunday School superintendent, teen leader, vacation Bible school director, Christmas program director, co-coordinator of summer backyard story hours, and a Missionettes sponsor of Prims and Stars.
Recently, when she was asked to serve as Missionettes coordinator, she realized the need to drop some other responsibilities. "I can't give up my Sunday School primary class," she declared. "I love working with these little ones."
According to her pastor, Roxanne's love for her students is evident in her preparation and in the response of her students. "She is innovative, creative, and age appropriate. She usually decorates the room according to theme and goes beyond the basics to bring in extra object lessons and illustrations. She holds the attention of students while teaching, has great patience, and maintains discipline. She prays for her students. She works hard to tailor her lessons to an ADD youngster in her class."
Roxanne, though adept in her teaching abilities, is faithful to continue all possible means of personal growth. She attends staff meetings, available seminars, and the district Christian education convention. In addition, she is working to achieve her honor sponsor status for Missionettes. She has also learned the art of puppetry and puppet making and is extremely effective in this ministry.
Roxanne is a faithful church member, regularly attending all services and special services. While her husband serves as a council member, Sunday School teacher, and on the missions committee, her children are faithful to the teen group, Sunday School, Missionettes, and Royal Rangers. It is apparent that both Roxanne and her husband are intent on setting an example for their children as well as the church body as a whole.
Alfred Sanchez, Sr., 1998 Educator of the Year
The 1998 Teacher of the Year is Alfred Sanchez, Sr., a member of First Assembly in New Milford, Connecticut. Russell Joyce, Fred's pastor and Nick Serben, Christian education director for the Southern New England District, presented Fred with a plaque from the Sunday School Department.
Every week First Assembly’s hi-teen class hears about the transforming power of Christ in people's lives. Fred is their teacher and he faithfully challenges the youth to give their lives in total surrender and consecration to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A number of young people have accepted Christ in this class. The teens know Fred is sharing out of his personal commitment to Christ. They know he lives out the lifestyle he is proclaiming.
Pastor Joyce reports that Fred has prepared and equipped himself through ACTS (All Church Training Series) class, district certification training sessions, and is presently taking correspondence courses through North Central Bible College in preparation for future ministry. He also completed the Royal Ranger commander's training course and is commander of the Pioneer group.
Fred has committed himself to ministry beyond the local church. In 1997 and ‘98, he went on AIM (Ambassadors in Mission) trips to Mexico and Paraguay. He regularly ministers on the streets of New York City, handing out tracts and sharing the gospel with anyone who will listen.
Pastor Joyce says, "Fred Sanchez is a man of sincerity, integrity, and a student of the Word."
Shirley Griffin, 1997 Educator of the Year
Shirley Griffin, Lisbon, Ohio, has been a teacher for more than 38 years. She is the type of member every church ought to have. According to her pastor, Shirley works in any area she is needed and she "lives everything she teaches. She is an example in her home and before her family. She is an example in the community where she does volunteer work."
Shirley teaches the adult class now, but she was a children's teacher for 18 years, VBS director for 25 years, youth director for 10 years, and Missionettes leader for 5. She has faithfully prepared herself to be a teacher by completing the annual training classes and by attaining certification. She also completed the Christian Worker Bible study courses.
Shirley's roots in the church and discipleship go deep. She was the first Missionettes Honor Star in the Ohio District, and she keeps that tie strong. Recently she was the guest speaker at a district Missionettes meeting.
Faithful servant and outstanding teacher, Shirley Griffin is an example of excellence in Christian education
Debra Saylor, 1996 Educator of the Year
Central City, Pennsylvania, a small town in the mountains, is home to the 1996 Educator of the Year, Debra Saylor. For the past 23 years, she has taught Sunday School: primaries, junior girls, and young marrieds. Today she teaches the adult class and says, "I love teaching. It is my favorite ministry in the church. Teaching adults is my calling."
Debra is a product of the Sunday School. When she was just 4 years old, she began attending Sunday School because Susan Tomko, a charter member of Pentecostal Tabernacle Assembly of God, picked up the little girl. Debra accepted Christ when she was 7 or 8 years old and committed her life to His service.
Dennis Sproull, former Christian education director for the Pennsylvania-Delaware District, was present for Debra's honor. "Debra attended all the district-wide and sectional training events that I held during my 8 years as director," he said. She was so eager to become a certified teacher, she took the All Church Training Series courses on her own. Former Pastor Potutschnig said, "Debra is the definition of faithfulness. As a teacher of adults, she is a true example."
In accepting her award, Debra remembered the woman who first brought her to Sunday School. Through her ministry to a 4-year-old girl, an entire family was won to the church and to the Lord. Debra's grandmother, Elizabeth Weyant, was an adult teacher for more than 20 years and had a great influence on the future teacher of adults.
