San Antonio UMs recognize 3 individuals, 1 group

San Antonio District United Methodists honored three individuals and one group March 8 for Christian witness and service.
Genoveva Guerra, Oak Island UMC, received the 2005 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the San Antonio District.
Debra Baker, Coker UMC, San Antonio, earned the Ted Caravantes Christian Service Award.
Robert Mitchell, Floresville UMC, took home the District Superin-tendent’s Youth Ventures in Ministry Award.
The Jolly Jubilee Jammers of Windcrest UMC were given the District Superintendent’s New Ventures in Ministry Award.
The four awards were presented at Bulverde UMC during the district’s annual celebration for laity and clergy. Some 340 people attended the event.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez presents the Exemplar Award annually to laypeople picked by each district board of laity “for witness, commitment and service after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Guerra was selected from 16 nominees representing 13 congregations.
“Thanks be to God,” Guerra said upon accepting the Exemplar Award.
Guerra was singled out for her sacrificial support of various ministries at Oak Island, a 240-member congregation in southern Bexar County.
“She cannot support our church as much as she’d like monetarily because she and her husband live solely on Social Security,” said Phyllis Allen in her nomination. “Both are aging, with health problems, no car and no central heat or air conditioning. She gives what she can and does what she can to build up the body of Christ.”
Those gifts have included thousands of cookies for various church functions, homemade jellies for sale at church fund-raising events and items sewn for various causes. Proceeds have supported the stained glass window fund and the campaign to build a new kitchen.

“She has worn out at least five sewing machines as she creates items for us to sell during fund-raisers,” Allen reported.
Guerra makes scarves for teenage girls, cloth books for children, quilts for babies, gowns and caps for deceased and stillborn infants, and lap blankets for residents of the San Jose nursing home.
Guerra is part of the Oak Island prayer chain. She prays daily, sends cards to ill or grieving members and calls shut ins.
“Though Genoveva’s walls have few trophies, we’ve seen the fruits of her labors in our church family,” Allen wrote. “She goes without to give to her family and others. She encourages, supports and loves us. She is a woman of compassion, a true servant of God.”
Baker was one of 13 nominees for the fourth Caravantes Christian service award. Established in 2002 by Coker UMC, the award recognizes church leaders who demonstrate their faith by helping the needy. The memorial award is named for a former district United Methodist Men president.
Baker and her husband formed Guide Dogs of Texas. As executive director, she worked with Girl Scouts of San Antonio, schools and service organizations to teach members about pet care and working with the visually impaired.
The state recognized Baker’s Pawsitive Approach initiative. It involved inmates at the Dominguez State Jail in a puppy-walking program for young guide dogs.
After retiring from Guide Dogs of Texas, Baker became active in Coker’s Mission Committee. She has made two trips to Guyana to work on tile in a children’s hospital.
Mitchell was one of six nominees for the second youth ministry award. He was cited for exemplary service to the 286-member Floresville congregation.
Mitchell helped establish a new youth praise band and planned a pancake breakfast to raise money to buy equipment for the group. He’s led the youth Sunday school class, been a lay reader during worship services and helped with Vacation Bible School.
In the community Mitchell is an Eagle Scout, member of the Floresville High School band and Leos Club. As his Eagle Scout service project, he provided a first aid tent staffed with volunteers and supplied with water for late summer afternoon band practices.
Windcrest’s Jolly Jubilee Jammers was one of 11 groups considered for the New Ventures in Ministry Award.
Formed in February 2004, the 22-member musical ensemble visits church members in retirement communities and nursing homes to play tunes from the 1930s and 1940s—as well as old-time gospel favorites—on homemade instruments. Audience members take part in the concerts by singing along, dancing and keeping time with shakers made of water bottles.
The music ministry group has gigs scheduled through November and is expanding its bookings to include children’s daycare centers and functions at Windcrest and other local churches.