Dr. Tim and Kathy Wiens have been named recipients of the 2013 Everence national Journey Award. (Photo by Vada Snider)
The award will be presented Sunday, Nov. 10, at First Mennonite Church in Newton. Everence President and CEO Larry D. Miller will present the award. Created in 2001, the Journey Award is a way for Everence to highlight what people of faith are doing as stewards of their God-given gifts.
“We at Everence are happy to honor Tim and Kathy for improving the lives of so many people,” said Andrea Unzicker, Everence Central Kansas Regional Director. “They have turned their concern for children and families in difficult situations into actions that we feel should be recognized as outstanding examples of stewardship."
Kathy Wiens is publishing a book based on the challenges she faced as a child and plans to donate the proceeds to organizations ministering to children, including a children’s home where she lived before being adopted. She has founded a ministry, Welcome the Children, to help congregations and communities nurture and value children.
A family practice physician, Tim Wiens was one of the founders of Health Ministries Clinic, a community health center that serves residents who otherwise could not afford health care. He also has formed mission teams to do medical work in Asia. He is particularly concerned about keeping children and youths from dropping out of church.