May 24, 2016
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, has been selected as the Johnson Countian of the Year by the board of the Johnson County Community College Foundation.
Hamilton will be honored Nov. 12 at the annual JCCC Some Enchanting Evening gala at the Overland Park Marriott. Tickets to the black-tie event support scholarships for students.
For 25 years, a focal point of Hamilton’s leadership has been service to the Greater Kansas City community.
“Thirty years ago, the very first Johnson Countian of the Year was our area’s most prominent and best known church leader – Dr. Bob Meneilly,” said Brad Bergman, JCCC Foundation president. “Now three decades later, it is exceedingly appropriate that we honor today’s most prominent clergyman, Rev. Adam Hamilton. Rev. Adam Hamilton has made an enormous difference and contribution in Johnson County, our metropolitan area and around the world.”
Hamilton launched the church in 1990 with his wife, LaVon. It has since grown to more than 20,000 members under his leadership. Today, the church is the largest United Methodist Church in the United States with an average weekend attendance of more than 10,000.
“With the remarkable growth and outreach of Church of the Resurrection and the remarkable work that his congregation performs throughout our region, Adam Hamilton has touched the entire community and helped so many people live happier, more fulfilling lives,” JCCC President Joe Sopcich said. “It’s an honor for us to honor him.”
In an average year, church volunteers provide more than 60 tons of food, 25,000 books, 1,200 beds for children who don’t have them, 50,000 backpacks of food for low-income children, and 30,000 furniture and household items. The congregation has partner relationships with six Kansas City area elementary schools where they have devoted thousands of hours of volunteer service and more than a million dollars. Its members are engaged in nearly every social service agency in Kansas City. They are engaged in ministry in more than 30 senior adult centers across the city. The church has more than 200 children, youth and adults with special needs as a part of its Matthew’s Ministry. It offers dozens of support groups for the community and it is the largest source of blood donations in the Kansas City area.
Hamilton, the author of 24 books, was asked by the White House to preach at the 2012 inaugural events and he has been appointed by President Obama to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. He has received numerous awards and honors over the last 25 years.###