“Faithful service in action” — that’s what Beck A. Taylor, president of Samford University, said the three recipients of this year’s Samford Medallion Awards embody.

On Nov. 1, Samford presented the honor to Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief — represented by Mark Wakefield, lead strategist for ABDR — along with Tony Cooper, former executive director of the Jimmie Hale Mission, and Frances Ford, executive director of Sowing Seeds of Hope.

The Samford Medallion Awards recognize people whose good works have made a difference in society, in community affairs, in the life of the church and in the quality of life of individuals.

“I’m not sure that I would be able to come up with better examples of how the act of love can positively impact and shape the life of the community in which we live than the examples we have heard tonight,” Taylor said at the awards ceremony.

Wakefield said it was his honor to accept the award for the “hundreds and hundreds” of disaster relief volunteers who give up their time and the comforts of home to “go and be with people in what may be the worst times of their lives and bring hope to them.”

ABDR coordinates volunteers to provide food, water, child care, showers, laundry and assistance with tree and debris removal, roof tarping and flood recovery to those affected by disasters.

Wakefield said he also accepted the award on behalf of “all Alabama Baptists who through their generous contributions to the Myers-Mallory State Missions Offering and through Cooperative Program giving and individual giving make this possible.” (continued)

This article was originally published at thealabamabaptist.org.