Zach Barnes Elected Vice President of North Carolina TSA

Rising Scotland High School Junior Zachary Barnes, who has served as North Carolina Technology Student Association president for the Scotland County High School chapter for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years, was elected the NCTSA state vice president at the organization's 30th annual conference held earlier this year at the North Carolina TSA State Conference in Greensboro. Zachary, who has led other organizations in his capacity as student government vice president, Spanish Club vice president, and acting Key Club president, has participated in the Native American Student Association, the Principal's Student Advisory Committee, and on the debate team. Zachary expressed his appreciation at becoming the state level vice president of the NCTSA.

"It was a real honor to be elected to the position of state vice president," he said. "I will do my best to assist the TSA in all its endeavors."

Scotland County Schools TSA advisor Sharon Williams is impressed by Zachary's leadership abilities. "Zach has demonstrated leadership skills since his days in elementary school. He was the perfect candidate for TSA state office and was voted in as middle school representative during his eighth grade year at Carver. During my time working with Zach, he consistently demonstrated leadership skills in the classroom and school and already has a long list of accolades. I have complete confidence in him as a leader and role model." Becky Wilson, an English teacher from the School of Math and Science at Scotland High School, agreed with Williams' assessment. "Zach's innate leadership abilities are evident in his leadership though example," she said. "He is a rare student who is both driven and selfless. He continuously strives to make himself and his school better in whatever way he can, and his peers and teachers both appreciate Zach's determination to make himself and those around him as successful as possible."

A member of the Laurinburg Church of God of Prophecy and an evangelist for the past seven years, Zachary's plans for college are both ambitious and concise. "I plan to pursue a doctorate in theology from Harvard," he said.

To serve in his new position as state vice president, Zachary had to pass a state advisor screening committee based on his candidate application, school transcripts, teacher recommendations and an essay entitled “Why I want to be a North Carolina-TSA State Officer.” He also took part in an on-site interview process that included a 10-minute interview by a committee appointed by the NC-TSA State Advisor.

During his time in office, Zachary will be responsible for planning the NCTSA State Conference and will attend the NCTSA State Officer Planning Session and the Fall Leadership Conference.

Zachary plans to expand his leadership role by running for the National T.S.A. office of Treasurer at the national convention in Denver, Colo. this summer. Earning this honor would mean involvement in planning the 2010 national conference and the duty of promoting the general welfare of the TSA.

The Technology Student Association is a non-profit, nationally competitive student organization for middle and high school technology education. Visit www.nctsa.org and www.tsaweb.org for more information.

[by John Lentz, Laurinburg Exchange]

Dr. Elgarnet Rahming Awarded Distinguished Order by Queen Elizabeth

The spiritual father of the Church of God of Prophecy in the Bahamas, Bishop Elgarnet Rahming, has been awarded the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 in her birthday honors of 2009. He says the honor announced by Government House is an "encouragement and incentive" to continue with his work for the Lord.

"I would think that those whom I lead, whom I provide fatherly mentorship to and council, and give advice to, I would hope that they would see this honor as something that they too could be proud of, that their spiritual father has been recognized in this way," said Rahming, the presiding bishop and national overseer. He received the honor for his untiring efforts and invaluable contributions to the growth and development of the country in the field of religion.

"But my greatest zeal and goal and objective really is to please the Lord — to serve the Lord, and to be faithful and consistent and steadfast in the work of the Lord while I help to build the lives of people. At the end of the day, this award is wonderful. It's an encouragement. It gives inspiration and it feels good, but at the end of the day, I am laboring for my eternal reward which the righteous judge promises to give to me, if I remain true and faithful." Rahming, 57, was one of 10 people honored for their contributions to either religion or the church.

"This surprise, and unexpected honor bestowed upon me by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II through the graces of the government of The Bahamas means a whole lot to me. It means that the work that I do, and have been doing over the years, has been noticed by the government to the extent that they deem it necessary to honor me in this way. More importantly though, anybody who knows me closely and intimately knows that I am what one would term a 'workaholic.' I am a 'workaholic' for the Lord. I enjoy working for the Lord, going the extra mile. In any 24-hour day I can work for the Lord 18-hours non-stop. And I do it not for selfish reasons, not for pride, not for show, I do it simply because of my love for him, and to uplift people, spiritually and socially — wherever I go, wherever ministry takes me," said Rahming.

He says it is his desire to improve the spiritual and social well being of people, and he believes that the medium of the gospel, and witnessing the gospel gives him the platform and the opportunity to do just that, and that he takes full advantage of it.

The announcement comes as the Church of God of Prophecy celebrates is 100th centennial anniversary of witness in the country.

"For me to have been selected for an honor at a time such as this is really a double celebration, and we certainly give God honor and thanks for that," said the son of Bishop Clifford Wenzel Rahming and the late Vera Chipman-Rahming.

Rahming accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour on Dec. 31, 1977, and became a member of the Church of God of Prophecy on May 28, 1978. He was licensed as an evangelist in July, 1984 and as a permanent evangelist in May, 1995. He was ordained and consecrated bishop in March, 1997. Rahming was appointed and installed as national overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy in the Bahamas on August 22, 1999.

Rahming obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, and is a graduate of the Church of God of Prophecy's Bible Training Institute. He has also completed a number of advanced courses, and holds numerous other diplomas and certificates from various theological institutions in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. He was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the Richmond Virginia Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.

Government House also announced that Lowell Mortimer got an Order of the British Empire (OBE) honor for outstanding service to the public service, church and community.

Most Excellent Order of The British Empire (MBEs ) went to Sandra Moore (church and community); Canon Fitz Goodridge (religion); Basil Christie (community service, education, religion and Special Olympics); The British Empire Medal (BEM) is being awarded to Arthur M. Sherman Jr. (civics and religion); Wendell Carver Grant Sr. (civics and religion); Doddridge MacLagan Hart (public service, church and the community); Oswald Cory Munnings (financial services industry and the church) and Reverend Wilbur St. Clair Outten (community and religion).

[By SHAVAUGHN MOSS, Lifestyles Editor, The Nassau Guardian]

Chris Leggett Funeral Planned For Tomorrow

The funeral for an East Tennessee man killed by gunmen in Africa is set Tuesday in his hometown of Cleveland.

Thirty-nine-year-old Chris Leggett was killed June 23 on the streets of Nouakcott, the capital city of Mauritania.

An Arab satellite TV station aired an audio statement purportedly issued by a North African Al-Qaida group spokesman who said the group killed Leggett because he was allegedly trying to convert Muslims to Christianity.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Cleveland.

Christopher Ervin (Chris) Leggett, 39, formerly of Cleveland and a current resident of Nouakchott, Mauritania, Africa, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in Mauritania. He was greatly loved and respected by the Mauritanian people. The Mauritanian Minister of Justice stated that "his death was a great loss to Mauritania."

Chris lived and died for Christ. He and his family were residents of Mauritania for the past seven years where he directed a non-governmental organization with a focus to help the people of Mauritania. One aspect of his work involved working with the prison systems to train and equip women and young boys to re-enter society. He directed a training center providing training in such areas as computer skills, sewing, and literacy. He also oversaw a micro-loan program which fostered growth of small businesses; hundreds of projects were financed which impacted the lives of countless people.

He was a 1987 graduate of Cleveland High School. He attended Cleveland State Community College and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1990 with a degree in business administration. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Cleveland for many years and most recently was a member of Michigan Avenue Baptist Church of Cleveland.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Jay T. and Mildred B. Leggett and Ervin G. and Rachel A. Foreman.

Survivors include his wife, Jackie Beard Leggett; parents: Jay and Linda Leggett of Cleveland; four children: Hannah Marie Leggett, Jordan Christopher Leggett, Haley Rebecca Leggett and Erin Christian Leggett; brother and sister-in-law, Jay L. Leggett Jr. and Erica S. Leggett of Cleveland; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Charles and Shirley Beard of Cleveland; nephews: Jay L. Leggett III, Grant W. Leggett and Jonathan M. Rowland, all of Cleveland; and several other family members.

The funeral will be held Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at the First Baptist Church of Cleveland at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Jim Gibson and Dr. Alan Lockerman officiating.

Interment will follow in Fort Hill Cemetery in Cleveland with Jake Beard, Shannon Brown, Junior Burke, Stan Gibson, Brian Nerren, Jack Roach, David Souther, and Dennis Tweed serving as pallbearers.

The visitation will be held Monday, June 29, 2009, at the First Baptist Church of Cleveland from 5 to 9 p.m. and also 1 hour prior to the Tuesday service.

Memorials may be made to the family as follows: Directly to Jackie B. Leggett at 1112 Glenmore Drive, Cleveland, TN 37312 or through First Baptist Church of Cleveland, 340 Church St., Cleveland, TN 37311 and designated to the J. Mack Hall Fund or by going to www.clevelandfbc.com and selecting the icon for Chris Leggett. You may leave a message of condolence for the family at this Web site.

Messages of condolence may also be given at www.ralphbuckner.com.