South Georgia Medical Center presented Rev. John L. Akers and Dr. Henry Wright with Lifetime of Service Awards for their 43 years of service as volunteer chaplains. Both gentleman joined the SGMC Volunteer Chaplains Association in 1973 and remain active today.
 
Members of the Valdosta community’s faith-based organizations serve as volunteer chaplains and cover emergency call two nights a week. Because of this service, chaplains are available 24/7 for patients and employees, making routine visits, providing consults, and responding to stressful or emotional needs and emergencies. “Often our role is to help bring calm in the midst of a storm. Knowing this, we strive to meet people where they are and minister to them there,” said Brian Sayre, SGMC’s Director of Pastoral Care, Chaplain Services.
 
Rev. John L. Akers is the pastor of the West End and Twin Lakes Presbyterian Churches. He has served there as pastor since 1973. He is a member of the Flint River Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church. He is married to Renee Sparks Akers and have twin children: Andrew and Amber.
 
Dr. Henry Wright serves as bishop at Evangel Temple, a church he started in Valdosta in 1969 after moving from Brooklyn. He has overseen missions around the world. Wright was instrumental in the development of the 60 unit Sands Horizon complex for low-income elderly. He and his wife Shelby have raised four daughters who now have families of their own.