Ruth Azar, a ruling elder at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church in Detroit Presbytery, was one of only three women throughout the Presbyterian Church (USA) to win the prominent Women of Faith award from the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Racial Equity and Women’s Intercultural Ministries area.  The award is given biannually to women whose lives exemplify their Christian commitment through witness, service and leadership.  This year’s award sought to recognize “women who disrupt systemic poverty.”

Ruth is the founder and executive director of the Second Mile Center of Detroit, a Christ-centered youth outreach ministry located in one of the most violent ZIP codes in the city of Detroit. Proud of her Lebanese /Syrian heritage, Ruth is the 6th of 8 children and the first in her family to be born in America Her family immigrated into this country to find a better way of life. She honors her parents by continuing to help others also find a better way. Ruth has done just that in her leadership at the Synod of the Covenant, having served as the moderator of the Cabinet on Ethnic Church Affairs (CECA), the Vice Moderator of the Synod’s Presbyterian Women, and member of an Administrative Commission supporting Mackinac Presbytery.

To read more about Ruth and the award, click here. Be sure to watch the video about her ministry linked in the article. Congratulations Ruth, and thanks for inspiring us to work alongside you to disrupt poverty.