2012 Kopio Awards recognize tireless service to ministry
Janel Shoun-Smith |
A cappella musical pioneer Keith Lancaster, Nashville humanitarian J.D. Elliott, Clarence Dailey, minister at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ; and Harold Redd, minister of the Midtown and Raleigh Springs Churches of Christ in Memphis, Tenn., have been awarded Lipscomb University’s 2012 Kopio Awards, given annually at Summer Celebration.
Lancaster was honored on Saturday, June 30, at Acafest, an a cappella music conference established by Lancaster’s organization and held in conjunction with Summer Celebration for the past few years. Elliott, former Lipscomb board member and the president of the Memorial Foundation, known for providing grant money to numerous philanthropic and service-oriented organizations throughout Nashville; Dailey, who has been a minister since 1940, and Redd, a long-tinme minister in West Memphis, Ark., recieved their awards during Summer Celebration, July 1-3.
The Kopio Awards’ name comes from a transliteration of a Greek word that is used to describe a person who labors to the point of utter exhaustion with the help and for the glory of God (Colossians 1:29). Lipscomb established the Kopio Awards to honor those individuals who give of themselves in this manner in service to God and the community.
The first Kopio Award was given toLandon Saunders, founder and longtime leader of Heartbeat Ministries, in 2009.
At the Sunday awards ceremony, Lipscomb President Randy Lowry described how the Kopio Award trophy (a swirling glass tower) reminds him of a flame, which is not only a traditional symbol of Lipscomb’s mission, but also representative of the “light you have brought to the community and to this institution,” Lowry told recipient Elliott.
Keith Lancaster
As the founder of The Acappella Company, Lancaster has produced unique a cappella recordings featuring the finest and most diverse a cappella voices, technology and vocal techniques available for almost three decades.
In 1982, Lancaster established the group Acappella, a men’s vocal quartet, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary at Acafest this year. Throughout the years, Acappella has remained a premier all-vocal Christian group and has performed in well over 3,000 concerts, has released more than 20 albums and has toured all over the world.
Acappella Ministries uses music to bring the message of God’s love to audiences around the world. Relying only on the awesome versatility and flexibility of the human voice, Acappella can fill a large concert hall with beautiful, intricate music.
The Acappella Company now produces albums by the groups Acappella, Durant and Vocal Union.
In addition, Lancaster has established the Praise and Harmony Workshop, held in locales throughout the world, where he advocates the preservation of four-part harmony a cappella singing in worship and teaches congregations how to use four-part harmony to inspire and revitalize their worship services.
Lancaster, who recorded his first record album, singing all four a cappella parts himself, won an MCA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
J.D. Elliott
Elliott served as president of Nashville’s Memorial Hospital for 25 years before serving as the founder and president of the Memorial Foundation, started in 1994. The foundation works to improve quality of life through support of nonprofit organizations that fulfill community needs in the areas of health, human and social services, education, aging services, youth and children, community service and substance abuse.
In addition to his work at Memorial, Elliott has served on the boards of Alive Hospice, the Boy Scouts, World Christian Broadcasting and the Nashville Zoo. He spent 15 years as a board member on Lipscomb’s board of trustees.
Elliott shows a genuine commitment to Christ as an elder and Bible teacher at Madison Church of Christ.
“When you become a university president, you look for those who can provide you with wise counsel,” Lowry told the audience when presenting Elliott his award on Sunday. Elliott was a member of the board of trustees when Lowry become university president. “I have always truly appreciated your guidance and mentorship.”
Upon receiving the award, Elliott said, “I just want to keep on keeping on. To God be the glory!”
Clarence Dailey
Dailey has served as a minister for more than seven decades. He preached his first sermon on July 30, 1940, and has been preaching ever since. He and his wife, Mary, who have been married for 67 years, have served churches in Florida, Atlanta and Memphis. For the last 25 years, Dailey has worked on the ministry staff of Brentwood Hills Church of Christ in Brentwood, Tenn. During his ministry, Dailey has traveled to five of seven continents.
It is often said that just about everyone is connected to someone who has either been baptized or married by Dailey. The Dailey’s journey of faith exemplifies what serving the Lord is all about.
Harold Redd
Redd and his wife, Joyce, have devoted much of their lives to ministering to churches in West Memphis, Ark., and Memphis, Tenn. A native of Oklahoma City, Redd began his ministry at the West Main Church of Christ in his hometown. Upon graduation from Oklahoma Christian University with a bachelor's degree in Bible, Redd served as minister of the Fourteenth Street Church of Christ in West Memphis. Following his work there, Redd became minister of the Midtown congregation in Memphis in January 1991. He took on the additional role of minister of the Raleigh Springs congregation in Memphis in March 1997. He continues to serve both of those churches today. In addition to his ministery, Redd has been a member of the Bible faculty at Harding Academy in Memphis and at West Memphis Christian School in West Memphis.
"I am glad to share this with my wife and I think of so many others who have been so influential in my ministry. It is important to remember that in front of my was a man who influenced me and behind me are men that I influence. To God be the glory for everything," said Redd upon receiving the Kopio Award on the closing night of Summer Celebration 2012 July 3.
About Summer Celebration
Click here to see the Christian Chronicle blog from Summer Celebration
Summer Celebration is three days of Bible classes and lectures drawing more than 75 presenters and speakers from through the United States and overseas.
Based on pre-registrations, this year's event was expected to be the largest ever, with the number of pre-registrations almost doubling and the number of room registrations jumping by almost 200 rooms. All events will be held on campus at One University Park Drive, Nashville.
Summer Celebration concluded with its annual Independence Day celebration Tuesday, July 3, on the Allen Arena mall, including a professional fireworks display along with free games and activities for children, live entertainment featuring the Annie Moses Band and food vendors. The evening is always free and open to the public.
To see photos from this year's Summer Celebration and July 3 picnic and fireworks display click here.