MLK Award

So this morning Clint and I went to have breakfast with 250+ other people at the Century Center this morning.  He was presented a prestigious award!

A while ago Mishawaka Mayor Jeff Rea nominated Clint to be awarded one of seven "Drum Major" awards.  This award is in honor of Martin Luther King Jr's dream and is presented to someone who has dedicated their life to serving and helping others in the community and outside of the community.  Mayor Rea nominated Clint because of the work that he's done and organized within the Mishawaka community and outside of the community.

Why the award is called the "Drum Major" award:
"Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice.  Say that I was a drum major for peace.  I was a drum major for righteousness.  And all of the other shallow things will not matter.  I won't have any money to leave behind.  I won't have the fine and luxurious thins of life to leave behind.  But I want to leave a committed life behind.  And that's all I want to say."  - Martin Luther King Jr.

Here is what was written in the program:  
Associate Pastor Clint Schwartz leads the Missions Ministry at The Vineyard Church in Mishawaka.  Pastor Schwartz and his wife Rose have five children Michael, John Michael, Anna, Ben and Rebekah.  Clint as been an Associate Pastor with The Vineyard Church for the past four years (it's actually 3 years :)).  The past fall he led a missions trip to the Sudan and Uganda.  Their mission is to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by sharing the love of God through compassion ministry to those who are in extremely difficult situations.  they provide this by partnering with pastors in foreign countries to share the Gospel and also by providing a hands-up approach instead of a hand-out approach to those in need of assistance in hopes to become self-sufficient.  Associate Pastor Schwartz dedicates immeasurable hours to the city of Mishawaka's Summer of Service program, which helps to strengthen our community through showing care and support for those who need it the most.  The objectives of the SOS program are to encourage youth volunteers to connect with the community, beautify the city and touch the lives of Mishawaka residents.  Thanks to the leadership, faith and vision of Pastor Schwartz and the SOS committee the program continues to flourish and serve those most deserving.

The pictures are #1 with Mayor Jeff Rea;  #2 giving his acceptance speech;  #3 with our Lead Pastor Mark Pope, Jeff Rea and our Associate Pastor Rob Wallace.

As a side note, Clint will be going to Haiti in two weeks!  This trip was starting to be planned 3 months ago with a pastor from Haiti visited The Vineyard and went to lunch with Clint and some other gentlemen.  Clint and Steve Schwartz have had this trip scheduled for a couple months.  Now that the earthquake has happened it changes their agenda quite abit.  We don't know what God is doing but it's a matter of trusting that he has a plan and it may not be what Clint and the other guys were thinking before.  Thankfully, God is in control!

Didn't this blog used to be about me?!  LOL  Clint thought it was quite funny when I said that to him. :)