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Dr. Jean C. Lambert Receives Lambert Award
GRAND RAPIDS, MI (June 15, 2006) - Dr. Jean C. Lambert is this year's recipient of the
Irving C. Lambert Award, which recognizes excellence in support of urban and
ethnic ministries.
The award, named in honor of her father, is administered by the Urban
Commission through the Department of Church Growth & Evangelism of the
Evangelical Covenant Church. It was presented during this morning's business
session of the 121st Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids.
Lambert has enjoyed a distinguished career as a teacher and pastor not only
in the United States, but also abroad.
In presenting the award, President Glenn Palmberg said "it is particularly
meaningful for me to be presenting this award to Irving Lambert's daughter." He
noted the many ways in which Lambert has served the needs of others worldwide
and has influenced so many lives.
 The commemorative plaque presented to Lambert
reads,
In grateful recognition of your commitment and dedication to the cause of
Christ in cities and among all sorts and conditions of people. From the early
nurture of a small city congregation, you have shaped a life of ministry and
friendship for all of God's children. You have dwelt comfortably in the
borderlands of the human family, among people of different races, cultural
groups, and social classes. All alike have been touched by your ministry.
From New York to Zimbabwe, from Kansas City to Stockholm, you have exercised
your gifts as teacher, pastor, writer, and friend. In all things you have shown
intelligence, wisdom, and generosity. Your life stands as a witness to us
all.
Lambert was ordained in 1982. She earned a Bachelors Degree in History at
North Park College, a Master of Arts in Theology at Union Theological Seminary,
and a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion at Union Columbia University.
Lambert taught seminary level classes in the United States and Zimbabwe. Her
career began at the St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri, from
1976-1984. She fell in love with teaching in Zimbabwe, working there twice. She
taught at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare from 1989-1991. She would return
to Zimbabwe to teach at the new Africa University in Mutare from 1998 to 2005.
Students from across Africa matriculated in Mutare, where she taught theology
and ethics. "A friend wanted me to teach at the university (in Mutare) because
he wanted someone to take over his classes since he was retiring," Lambert says.
She coordinated the spiritual formation program for all the students and wrote
the curriculum, and planned worship for a local Methodist congregation, while
teaching the art to others.
Lambert says she fell in love with Zimbabwe, where she not only taught, but
since her first time in the country, has sponsored a young girl's education.
"She's like my daughter even though she has parents," Lambert says.
Lambert rented a room above someone's house that was near the university. She
became friends with the woman who worked at the house even before the woman had
the girl.
She most recently taught a class at North Park Theological Seminary this past
spring.
As with her teaching career, Lambert has been a pastor in the United States
and overseas. She was pastor of Bethesda Covenant Church in New York, New York,
from 1984 to 1988, and the pastor of the English-speaking congregation at
Immanuelskyrkan in Stockholm, Sweden. A third of that congregation was from
Uganda.
Lambert also served on the Covenant Board of Ordered Ministry, Board of
Publications, and the Missouri Board of Planned Parenthood.
"I'm very sorry that pastor Willie Jemison couldn't be here," Lambert said in
accepting the honor. "One of the best things my parents did was to host Urban
and Ethnic Commission members one year. That commission knew how to eat, and my
mother loved that. And they loved her cooking.
"Irving Lambert had unusual ideas about a lot of things, including heaven,"
she recalled. "He hoped he would one day be exploring the solar system without
the aid of rockets or planes, leaping from planet to planet and exploring.
"But, there is another interesting thing about my father, she continued. "His
desire was to be an 'includer' – he liked to include people of all ethnic and
cultural backgrounds in everything. He would approve of this year's theme –
Every One to Every Where.
"I feel a little embarrassed receiving this award as I am his daughter," she
said in closing. "But, I am reminded of a quote from former Israeli Prime
Minister Golda Meir: 'Don't be so humble – you're not that great.' That's good
for me to remember."
Past winners of the C. Irving Lambert award are:
- 1982 - Eldon & Opal Johnson
- 1983 - Elmer B. Pearson
- 1984 - Herb & Evelyn Wettersten
- 1985 - Robert Sloan
- 1986 - Willie & Bessie Jemison
- 1987 - Jim Sundholm
- 1988 - Eleanor Nelson Claus
- 1989 - Carlos Guzman
- 1990 - G. Dewey Sands
- 1991 - Richard Carlson
- 1992 - Mel Dillard
- 1993 - Daniel Alvarado
- 1994 - Harry Thomas
- 1995 - Linda Stordahl
- 1996 - Sally Johnson
- 1997 - Lyle Stokes
- 1998 - Doug & Carolyn Cedarleaf
- 1999 - Wesley Nelson
- 2000 - Jim & Jan Lundeen
- 2001 - Jerry & Sandra Mosby
- 2002 - Jorge & Noris Maldonado
- 2003 - Arnold & Marilyn Bolin
2004 – Jim and Annette Anderson
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