Brian and Beth Stipp comprise a perfect team of servant leaders at the Annunciation parish and the greater Kankakee, Illinois community. Their selfless and innovative efforts include: administering the parish Sunday School and teaching two of the three classes; running a community garden and raising organic vegetables for those in need; leading volunteer musical ensembles; and mentoring a local group of young married couples. Brian directs the Little League and coaches several sports. A professor at Olivet Nazarene University and a national leader in Special Education, Brian’s extracurricular innovations include: numerous workshops aimed at supporting at-risk children; the creation of an Exceptional Students Tutoring Lab; and launching a Special Education Symposium drawing teachers from across the state. Beth, a nurse, implemented a heartwarming Saint Nicholas Christmas Stocking Loneliness project at Annunciation, and leads the parish’s youth programs. Meanwhile, this exemplary parental partnership inspires its six children to similar manifestations of their Christian humanity.
To view a full list of our recipients, please click here. More biographies will be released after each recipient receives their Bronze Cross from Metropolitan Nathanael through home visits.