Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Among Local Church Community Heroes

When Patmos Chapel Adventist Church in Apopka, Florida, United States, celebrated Community Guest Day, the congregation was in for a surprise. Along with the six special guests being awarded for their service to the community, a video crew from the ABC television network showed up. The film crew was taping a news report on Florida’s voting rights movement, spearheaded by the one of Patmos’s honorees, Desmond Meade, president of the Florida Restoration Rights Coalition (FRRC).

Meade, who was nominated for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, shared his testimony of being homeless, addicted to drugs, and plagued with a criminal record. After being released from prison, he found that his felony convictions put roadblocks in his life, preventing him from getting jobs, securing loans, or being able to vote. So he led a grassroots movement to restore voting rights for past felons. In 2018 Florida law was changed. Amendment 4 of the Florida constitution was passed, which restored voting rights for 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. It was the largest expansion of voting rights in 50 years.

Meade has received many rewards and honors. In 2019 Time magazine recognized him as one of its 100 Most Influential People. He was also named a CNN Hero.

During the program Meade announced that FRRC would provide US$20,000 for Patmos members, relatives, and friends whose voting rights are encumbered because of unpaid court fees. James Doggette, Patmos Chapel’s pastor, announced that the church will partner with FRRC to help Apopka residents who need their voting rights restored.

Open Our Eyes

Others honored at Patmos Chapel’s Community Guest Day included Sheila Young, who has served as president of the Greater Orlando Council of the Blind for more than 20 years. She doesn’t let vision impairment stop her from helping others. As a paraprofessional at Orange County public schools, she enjoys helping children understand that they can live full lives without vision. She loves helping others secure resources for the blind community, letting them know that they don’t have to tackle blindness alone. Her goal is to be an advocate for change. She holds several posts for the American Council for the Blind.

Jacquelyn ”JLove” Alexander has been a teacher, etiquette consultant, photographer, and parent coach in Orlando and St. Petersburg, Florida. Her passion is helping young people become strong and productive. Seeing her students enter college is one of her most fulfilling experiences. “I love being upfront and personal with the youth. It makes a huge difference in their lives,” she says. “It also helps that I adore children.” She beams with joy when former students return to thank her for her guidance and direction.

On the Ball

Rogers Beckett, a former NFL football player, is known as a go-to resource for the Apopka community. As president of Beckwood Management Group, he’s opened the door to housing for numerous families. He enjoys helping those less fortunate and has backed grassroots projects, such as bookbags for schoolchildren. He has also spearheaded beautification projects for the city. Beckett serves as president of South Apopka Safe Neighborhood, a community-based initiative that brings together community organizations, private businesses, public agencies, the City of Apopka, and Orange County to help residents be agents for positive change in their communities.

Virginia Elizabeth Veloz’s true north is helping others. By day she’s a dentist specializing in orthodontics. After work, she’s the owner and director of Five Stars Volleyball, a club that provides opportunities for kids to develop an appreciation for volleyball. Veloz, who has competed on the international stage, believes that athletics provides a wonderful opportunity for mentoring youth. She’s seen the profound impact that mentorship can have on a person’s life. It reaffirmed her mission to help others achieve their goals.

Kellen Tichenor, owner of MGA Gymnastics in Apopka, knows that sports is an excellent vehicle to instill Christian values to youth. Being active in gymnastics since childhood, Tichenor knows how sports are effective in changing lives. For him the most amazing experience comes from watching kids grow up and seeing the breathtaking things they do with their lives. One of his students eventually became an Olympic sprinter.

Wonderful Day

“We are blessed with the opportunity to welcome, worship, fellowship, and honor distinguished community leaders for their outstanding contributions,” Maxine Green, who coordinated the event, said. “These were dedicated individuals who consistently gave of their time, talent, and resources to help others. It was a joy to see and a blessing to experience, a day to rejoice in the Lord.”

“What a wonderful occasion this is,” Doggette said. “Community Guest Day is not only a time the church honors heroes, but also a time the church reaches out to forge new relationships and build trust, be a good neighbor, and make its presence felt. It’s a wonderful event to which our members can invite their friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Programs like these can open the door to opportunities to advance the church’s mission.”

The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Tidings news site.