Lake Region Director Receives National Recognition

ON SUNDAY, FEB. 26, 2023, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (PARL) FOR THE LAKE REGION CONFERENCE WAS RECOGNIZED FOR HIS YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AT A GALA HELD AT THE SLIGO SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN MARYLAND.

Edward Woods III was honored with a Living Legend Award for Service to Humanity for his decades of advocacy for equitable representation and liberty of conscience.

The theme for the awards gala this year was “Liberty and Justice for All!” and three individuals who have been activists in the fields of law and policy were recognized. In addition to Woods, honorees were attorney Justin Hansford, attorney George Fatheree III and Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

Long History of Service to the Church

Born and raised in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he attended Ruth Murdoch Elementary School and Andrews Academy, Woods is a graduate of Oakwood University and has a master’s in public administration from Western Michigan University. He currently serves as the executive director of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, which was able to successfully create the first citizen-driven redistricting map that more equitably reflects the state’s demographic and geographic diversity.

Woods has also had a long history of involvement in the PARL work of the church: first, as the PARL director of his home church, Highland Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church, and later as the PARL director for Lake Region Conference, where he initiated PARL forums and engaged with faith and civic leaders.

He was instrumental in forming the Conscience and Justice Council, launched in 2016 to encourage PARL work at the local church level and provide biblically based programs about conscience and justice issues.

In accepting the award, Woods quoted Isaiah 1:17 which is a call to “learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” And he reminded those in attendance that the Seventh-day

Adventist pioneers had a history of being involved in the social issues of the day and that we should continue that tradition.

Another awardee, Congresswoman Waters, thanked Woods for his remarks by stating that because of his remarks she “learned about the work of the Seventh-day Adventists. … we don’t really know about the depth of the work that is being done by the Seventh-day Adventists.”

Doreen Hines, founder and director of the Living Legends Awards for Service to Humanity Foundation, said that the selection committee is always looking for people with a passion for service. “In our research and talking to people around our faith community Edward’s name came up and further research revealed his impact on the Michigan community,” she explained. “The fact that in his employment he was passionate about achieving fair and equitable treatment for all Michiganders. His work with PARL shows his passion to put in the work to educate and fight for members of his faith community to maintain religious freedoms and access to justice.”

For over a decade the foundation has recognized individuals and organizations which have made significant impact through their humanitarian service. By using the arts, the foundation shines the light on the stories of those who have made a significant impact on their local and global communities. The foundation also focuses on ending food insecurity and is currently providing meals to 1,000 families monthly on average.

Past recipients of this award have included Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee, Congressman John Lewis and Chaplain Barry Black.

You can watch the program at http://bit. ly/3mkko2y or by scanning this QR code. P