Antioch Church Rufus A. Strother, Jr. Community Service Award
First Recipient will be Melvin Burruss, Esq.
The first person selected to receive Antioch Baptist Church’s
distinguished Rufus A. Strother, Jr. Community Service award is
Brother Melvin Burruss of Peekskill, NY. Bro. Burruss, an attorney and
business professional, is the Chairman of the African American Men of
Westchester, an all-volunteer non-profit organization founded in 1987.
The group’s goal is to provide programs and organize innovative
projects for young people and adults in the county. Bro. Burruss is being
recognized for making significant contributions to his community and
for emulating the ideals of compassion and service, as exemplified by
Pastor Strother.
Rufus A. Strother, Jr. served as Pastor of the Antioch Baptist church
in Bedford Hills, New York for 38 years, prior to his passing in January
2005.
Antioch established a Memorial Benevolence Fund in recognition of
Pastor Strother’s commitment to service to Antioch and to the Northern
Westchester Community. Earlier this year, the church’s current Pastor,
Rev. Dr. Paul S. Briggs,announced the establishment of the " Rufus A.
Strother, Jr. Community Service Award ". The award is to recognize an
individual, who like Pastor Strother, is making significant
contributions to their community through their actions, talents,
dedication and compassion. In addition, attributes sought also include
a passion for helping others and a commitment to “healing the world”.
Bro. Burruss will receive the award at the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King,Jr. Memorial Banquet hosted by Antioch, on Friday, January 10,
2014 at the Westchester Marriott. Banquet tickets are $75 ($85 after
January 8). The social hour begins at 7p.m. and the program starts at
8 p.m. The hotel is located at 670 White Plains Road in Tarrytown.
Members of the AAMW and Mel’s fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi and
business associates are invited to attend and be a part of supporting
this prestigious event.
The Keynote speaker will be the Hon. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York
Eighteenth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
