Flint, MI– Mayor Sheldon Neeley will be giving Flint’s highest honor to ten local faith-based leaders and organizations for their work in the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On Oct. 21, from 6 to 7 p.m. Neeley will bestow Keys to the City to the honorees at The New McCree Theatre.

“We honor these faith-based champions for their leadership, for their bold and steadfast commitment to our community, and for the beacon of light they provided to so many during a devastating health crisis,” Neeley said in a press release from the city. “We honor them and their work to serve our families in extreme times of need and every day.” 

  • Volunteers hand out food and water at Asbury Church in Flint, Mich. on Aug. 11, 2020. The church offers the giveaway every Tuesday. (KT Kanazawich | Flint Beat)
  • Volunteers hand out water to Flint residents on Aug. 11, 2020. The church has been offering the giveaway every Tuesday since 2016. (KT Kanazawich | Flint Beat)
  • The Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint, Mich. has provided free COVID-19 testing and vaccines throughout the pandemic. (KT Kanazawich | Flint Beat)
  • Volunteers make an assembly line to pack up tote bags of pantry for a giveaway at the Prince of Peace Baptist Church (KT Kanazawich | Flint Beat)
  • The National Guard and the Genesee County Health Department perform COVID-19 tests outside of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church on July 10, 2020. (KT Kanazawich | Flint Beat)

The honorees were selected from nominations in the faith-based community. They are: 

  1. Asbury United Methodist – Pastor Dr. Tommy McDoniel
  2. Bethel United Methodist – Pastor James Cogman
  3. Central Church of the Nazarene – Pastor Rob Prince
  4. Church Without Walls – Pastor Martez Warren
  5. Greater Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C. – Bishop Roger Jones
  6. Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church – Pastor Samuel Berry, III
  7. Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church – Pastor Jeffery Hawkins
  8. Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church – Pastor Dr. Daniel Moore, Sr.
  9. St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church – Pastor Kevin Thompson
  10. Word of Life Christian Church – Pastor George Wilkinson

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the ceremony, and the event will follow COVID-19 safety protocols.

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Amy Diaz

Amy Diaz is a journalist hailing from St. Petersburg, FL. She has written for multiple local newspapers in her hometown before becoming a full-time reporter for Flint Beat. When she’s not writing you...