Marthenia & Barbara Service of Love Legacy Award

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Melody T. Knox serves in a dual role for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware. As a missionary for women, her role is to encourage, equip, and engage women by encouraging women to pray, grow as disciples, and use their gifts in advancing the Kingdom. She is responsible for assisting women’s ministry leaders in offering Bible studies and events that will lead the women in their churches to a deeper understanding of God’s Word. 

As the Maryland/Delaware Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) Executive Director, Melody encourages churches to live a missional lifestyle. She is also responsible for the annual Women on Ministry Retreat - and the camps for boys/girls held at Camp Wo-Me-To. Melody’s goal is for all women to leave a godly legacy for those who come behind them. 

She and her husband, David, have been married for thirty-seven years and are the parents of a son (Justin) and a daughter (Jenna). She also has three (Trey, Brenton, and Kadyn), tween heartthrobs who call her “Mimi.” In her leisure time, Melody enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time encouraging women in all walks of life. 

Deaconess Carla Lofland was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and soon after journeyed to Meadville, Pennsylvania, with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Mack. After graduating from high school, Carla moved to  Baltimore, Maryland, to further her education. She is a graduate of Baltimore Institute/Bay College with an associate’s degree in 1970. Deaconess Carla Lofland has been a member of Mount Hope Baptist Church for over 40 years, where the Bishop H. Donald Bates is the pastor. She is known as a prayer warrior, and she can pray and will pray without any hesitation. 

She has fulfilled many leadership roles at Mt. Hope Baptist Church and served as Mistress of Ceremonies for many programs. She says, “Through my participation I always try to uplift and encourage everyone in attendance.”

Mt. Hope Church Ministries:

· Deaconess Ministry for over 30 years – currently the President

· Usher Board

· Sunday School Teacher

· Choir Member

· Program Coordinator/ Mistress of Ceremony – church events, plays, concerts, Women's Day chairperson, and Breast Cancer Awareness spokesperson. 

Other Ministries:

· Models of B-more – owner and host- Annual cruise affair and other 

· Ladies of Eminence Non-Profit Organization – Helping women and families in need

Deaconess Carla Lofland is a die-hard Pennsylvania Steelers fan. Always distributing fan rivalry with her pastor, Bishop Bates, and others. She gets great joy dressing up with her Steller’s fan gear, black and yellow.

She is a true Witness for the Lord. She would say, “I will trust in the Lord, I will trust in the Lord, Until I die”. And “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine”. 

Her focus is pleasing God by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She gives GOD all the glory for all the great things He has done!

 Barbara Harding has been of service to her community for many years. She is a shining example of a true leader. Which she demonstrates with the work that she does for her church, sorority and those around her.  Mrs. Harding has led many fundraising endeavors that have benefited her church family and her community.  Barbara Harding for many years now has been the driving force behind First Baptist Church of Guilford’s Women in White program. Through her efforts over the course of several years, she has, brought hundreds of women together in Christ and raised thousands of dollars for her church. Mrs. Harding has also made many other contributions to her church and has played a role in raising money for the scholarship committee.  She not only shows this dedication to her church but to her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Inc. Mrs. Harding has been an active member of the AKA for over 50 years. Through her work with the sorority, she has participated in many outreach activities. Including sponsoring up in coming AKA’s, working to help with scholarships, and providing for families in need.  Barbara Harding is truly a pillar of the community and continues to work tirelessly for those around her. She is what you would call Black Excellence.
 

 Dollene does Volunteer work at Roberta House for any information Call Kelli (443)627-1187 she has been doing that over 5-7 years I believe longer she works with the seniors, Guest Services, participates in the plays that they have all the programs, helps out in the kitchen, Several Members have went home to Glory and if Doll knows the family which most of them she does she will help out at the Repast. She has been a member of The Tabernacle of The Lord formally (Jones Tabernacle )over 45 years maybe longer. She feeds and give clothes to the Homeless, she takes Food and groceries to the sick . Let me know if you need more. 

And Yes Doll is Greeting Members and Guests She is a Caregiver for her Nephew Tony, Her Husband Bob and our Mother Kay before She came down to North carolina also Our Aunt Alice and Uncle Raeford she has several other Senior Friends that she also care for.

Doll has been a member of The Tabernacle of The Lord for 52 years and has never Straight away from loving God And her church and church Family she is a very loyal and dedicated woman of God she also is loyal to her job which she has been on for 35 years another good deed she does for some of her coworkers that doesn’t drive pick & take them to and from work a heart of gold she has.Add a short description.

 Mary, is a seasoned entrepreneur and community leader for over 30 years.  Mary and her husband have worked tirelessly assisting displaced youth through a local foster care program since 1998.  She loves helping people, and has a true passion for training, advocating, and supporting her community.  She was recently a board member for many years for a non-profit agency called Community Adovates 4 You, Inc. which is a support for parents with children who have an IEP or 504 plan in school.  At her church, she is involved in youth groups, the good news club and in the past was on the security ministry.  She is actively involved in a senior help center where she takes enriching classes such as software training for Microsoft Windows applications and piano.  Mary is the backbone of her family.  She has 7 children, 16 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.  Often she is the go to for support regarding spiritual, financial, and relationship matters.  She is a well-rounded person who aims to please God and her family.  Two of her favorite verses are Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 119:11.