On Sunday, Sept. 11, at their monthly meeting, the Immokalee Ministerial Alliance (I.M.A) unanimously voted on awarding their prestigious I.M.A Outstanding Ministry Award to the Washington Family Ministry, and the award was presented to Jimmy and Shalonda Washington, the founders, on Sunday, Sept. 18

Special to the Immokalee Bulletin
The Immokalee Ministerial Alliance (I.M.A) awarded their prestigious I.M.A Outstanding Ministry Award to the Washington Family Ministry on Sunday, Sept. 18. Left to right are (back) Bishop Remar Scott, Shalonda Washington, Jimmy Washington, Pastor Lori Snell (front) Pastor Terry Mallory and Pastor Frank Williams.

Approximately a year ago, the organization decided that each month it would actively scour the Immokalee community to find ministries that are community-minded and are not just worried about the inside of their places of worship, but are also focused on outreaching to the community to show the love of God to all. So, I.M.A instituted the I.M.A Outstanding Ministry Award, where a beautiful trophy is given to the honoree. Also, thanks to the benevolence of some of the local restaurants, I.M.A also is privileged to occasionally present the honoree with a free dinner for two.

Rev. Lori Snell, I.M.A’s president was very pleased with the group’s choice. She personally witnessed Shalonda grow up from a little girl in Naples, who was full of promise and hope to a young lady, wife, mother, business owner and community worker who has no other desire but to impact her community for the sake and glory of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Shalonda will quickly attest to the fact that all her help comes from God. She will also tell you that she and her faithful husband, Jimmy and their family work as a team. Just take a look at the history and purpose of the Washington Family Ministry:

The Washington Family Ministries is comprised of seven family members and 25 youth members. They as a family accepted the call to use their gifts in: dance, sign language, musical composition, bible based teaching, spoken word and singing for the up building of Gods Kingdom, as means to share the gospel of Christ Jesus to the Youth of Immokalee. Husband and wife; Jimmy and Shalonda, have dedicated their hearts toward the youth in Immokalee and share their given passion and vision with the family to propel and ignite the start of the ministry to where it is today.

They are a non-profit ministry that seeks opportunities to raise and encourage leaders within the youth community by instilling and teaching Godly principles, values, and statutes of God’s word to the youthful generation that God has planted before them.

This particular event: Take Flight will be used as a strategic tool to partner with the local churches and pastors to draw these young souls to confess and accept the Lord as their Savior through Faith. This ministry event will begin to prepare and equip the youth of today to be the church of today. The Washingtons want to connect them to healthy Bible Teaching and believing church bodies to function and grow in the knowledge of Christ as they serve and work in the Kingdom of God. (Ephesians 4. Verse 12).

Now we are sure you agree with us that the Washington Family Ministry was a great choice. I.M.A. might be knocking on your ministry’s door next. Immokalee is full of awesome ministries that are impacting the community in a powerful way.

Finally, Reverend Snell and all of the pastors of I.M.A. would like to extend an invitation to all community pastors and spiritual leaders to be a part of this growing organization that is doing great things for Immokalee like the almost $8,000 that we have given away in scholarships to several Immokalee High School college-bound graduates and the annual Early Morning Community Easter Service, that was initiated three years ago, just to name a few. Our meetings are every second Sunday of each month at 2:30 p.m. The meetings are held at Mi Ranchito Mexican Restaurant and Ice Cream Shop on Main Street, and your lunch is free.