Woman of the Week: Linda Burkett

Nominated by: Pat Hilton

Linda was diagnosis with breast cancer a few years ago. She went through surgery to have the lope nubs removed only to have it reappear the next year. Thus she had to have a double breast removal. She went through chemo and everything with such a positive attitude. I admire Linda not only for being a survivor but through all of this she also lost her 23 year old handicapped son. Micheal, her son, was born handicapped but Linda and her husband, Greg, always took care of him at home. Linda is such a strong woman to have faced all of these situations with a positive attitude and loves serving the Lord. She is the director of our Children’s ministry and gives so much back to our church and the Lord. She truly is a survivor of breast cancer as well as a true light in the darkness for Jesus Christ. I call her my friend and feel that she deserves being the Woman of the Week turns Pink.

Woman of the Week: Lori Lighty

Nominated by: John Lighty

Lori felt a call to children’s ministry. She took this challenge at our church 4 months ago. She created a children’s worship service, children’s quiz team, and children’s choir. She has seen an increase from 6 children to 23 children with 4 accepting Christ and being baptized. She also saw a need at children’s camp for a church in New Port Richey that 95% of the parents are out of work and the children have only one set of clothes to wear. They would wash those clothes every night at camp to have fresh clothes each day. The church tries to feed all the people at least twice a week. She initiated a clothing and food drive for this church and will deliver a truck load to the church this Saturday.  She has a passion for bringing children into a saving knowledge of Christ. She has also initiated a Fall Festival to reach out to our community with the gospel. She has a love for Christ and wants everyone to know who He is and also have a saving relationship with Him.

Woman of the Week: Alicia Engelman

Nominated by: Crystal Howard

I have known Alicia since 9th grade and we became best friends. She is an amazing women in Christ.  She loves to sing for the Lord and she has recently started our womens ministry at our church as well. She has 8 kids from ages 10 mths to 24 yrs old.  Two of them are step children. She is a stay at home mom who homeshools all of her children and she has a miche bag business also. She will do what she can to help out who is in need. She runs the nursery at the church and we both sing with the praise and worship group too.  We have been best friends since 1992. I am proud to say she is my best friend and my sister forever.

Woman of the Week: Vindy Lopez

Nominated by: Lulu Swain

We met at church as I was losing my house and job. She asked me, my son, and two dogs to come live with her and her two kids. While I lived there she paid my school’s tuition, books, gas, food and provided anything my son and I needed. Even going to movies or dining out. She always made sure that I always had cash on me and even deposited money into an account for me to use. We are both youth leaders at the same church and we do community service together along with the ministry I direct out of the same church. We share a passion for the youth and God and we learned a lot from each other.

I lived in her house for twenty months until recently I was able to move on my own with my son. I have never met anyone so selfless and giving in my entire life and i would like to recognize her for all she has done and continues doing. Even after moving out she still makes sure we have all we need.

Woman of the Week for 08/11/2012: Vastie Alexis

Nominated by: Mehlin Philippe

Vastie currently holds the title of Youth President of her church. Despite her own personal circumstances, she still finds time to love on each of her youth members indivudually. She prays with them, prepares their lessons and is there encourgaging. She also serves as the Sunday School Teacher and is readily available to the needs of her students, youth and the congregation.

Woman of the Week for 08/03/2012: Debbie Stickney-Laczko

Nominated by: Kevin Laczko

In addition to being my amazing wife, Debbie is Mom of 4, home school teacher of the youngest 2, business owner, nutrition minister, and marriage mentor for so many grateful women. She is very giving and always lifts the spirits of those around her. Because she is so tuned in to the needs of her children, she quickly recognized an undiagnosed, yet serious, hearing loss of our daughter when she was 3 (she is now 8). Not only did that lead us to obtain the proper assistance to ensure regular speech development, but it also opened up her heart to helping children with even more severe hearing loss in need of cochlear implants. She jumped into action to raise funds for Rhyan’s Hope, a non-profit organization that seeks to help deaf children to hear again. Through her passionate efforts she ensured a young girl whom she had never before met was able to receive a much needed and very expensive surgical procedure not covered by insurance. This is just one of the many ways Debbie has been open to God working through her to make a difference in those around her. Our children and I are so very proud of her!

Woman of the Week for 07/18/2012: Karen Riendeau

Nominated by: Maria Artelli

Karen is simply a remarkable woman of God. The way she gracefully lives her life shines in ways that I am sure she doesn’t truly understand. I grew up in a Sunday morning Christian family, whose walks with Christ never really took place outside of the church walls. When I became a Christian, God used Karen as a spiritual mother in my life. She showed me that it’s not about religion, but a relationship with Jesus, and this relationship didn’t have to be lived out of obligation, but desire. I model a lot of what I do and who I am after the Jesus that lives in Karen Riendeau.

Woman of the Week for 07/20/2012: Claudia Nathe

Nominated by: Audrey Navarro

Growing up we did’nt have much; my mother and father both worked full time. But even though my mother worked 40+ hours a week, she managed to make a special bond with each of her three children. My my most fond memory of her as a child was every Saturday we would go grocery shopping, it was my favorite part of the week and before we would leave the house we always prayed for a great parking spot and lots of sales and God always delivered. That was her way of showing me that God cared even about the small things in life. When I turned 15, my father passed away. My whole family was devistated. My mother then had to take on 3 part time jobs, raise 3 children and enrolled in school full time. When she finished school she graduated top of her class. My mother is an amazing mother and grandmother and somehow always managed to keep our family “together”. And even though she went through some horrible times she managed to put God first and prove to us that God answers prayer. My mother is the most selfless amazing example of a women of God, wife and mother and I love her more that words can say.

Woman of the Week for 07/19/2012: Rosa Thompson

Nominated by: Steve Thompson

Rosa and I have been married 20+ years. We have 3 boys (2 over 18 and 1 10 years of age.) Rosa has always been there for us, through thick and then. In the past years, Rosa has been through a lot, but has held on strong and showed the love any mother would for her children.  When I was in the hospital 2 years back, she was there to support me as well as kept the family strong. She has held us together and made sure the family was supported at all times. She does not show her feelings when they are hurt, but keeps right on going.  She is the most wonderful wife any one could have as well as the best mother any child could have. Thank you, Rosa, for the wonderful children you have given me and the wonderful years you have given me. I LOVE YOU, ROSA

Woman of the Week for 07/12/2012: Gail Goss

Nominated by: David Miller

She is truly a woman of God.  I’ve known her for 27 years, and she has consistently spoken the Word God in my life.  I have disappointed and broken her heart more than once, but she has always forgiven, encouraged, and supported me.  As I surrendered my life to Christ, He has given me eyes to see this amazing, beautiful woman for the angel she has been in my life. She’s more than the Woman of the Week, she is a WOMAN OF GOD!