General Superintendent’s Medal of Honor Awarded

COLUMBUS, Ohio – During the last day of business sessions at
General Council 2023,
General Superintendent Doug Clay bestowed the General Superintendent’s Medal of
Honor on Bonnie Zimmerman of New Life Community Church in
Ashland, Ohio. This honor is presented to laypersons within the Assemblies of
God who have demonstrated “meritorious service to God, the church, the
community, and fellow citizens,” remarked General Secretary Donna Barrett.

Although New Life Community has gone through several changes
in its 76-year history including three buildings, five names, and 13 pastors,
one thing has remained a constant within this body of Christ and that is Bonnie
Zimmerman.

“The most accurate way to describe what Bonnie means to this
church is a pillar,” said current pastor Dave McNeely. “She has been here 72
years of our church’s 76-year history and has served faithfully all of that
time.”

Steve Brimmer, pastor of New Life Community Church from 1978
to 1995 which at the time was Ashland Assembly of God, described Zimmerman as a
steady and faithful volunteer and later staff member.

After being saved at a revival service at the tender age of
14, Zimmerman recalled starting her ministry to children within a few months of
her salvation. And despite the small church being 13 miles away from her house,
she made sure she got there by finding rides or taking the bus when necessary.

Brimmer stated that when he came to the church in 1978,
Zimmerman was faithfully serving the church which had an average of 30 weekly
attendees. But as the church began to grow, so did Zimmerman’s ministry.
“Bonnie was never afraid to stretch herself. She continued to take kids under
her wing and as the church grew, so did her responsibilities,” said Brimmer.

During her time at New Life Community Church, Zimmerman has
been a coach for Junior Bible Quiz,
traveled both overseas and domestically for several missions trips, led
preschool and elementary aged ministries in the church, and acted as the warm
familiar face of “Grandma Bonnie” for many children at Ohio district camps. “Bonnie
is a perfect example of someone God uses in a mighty way simply because they
have a heart to serve,” said Brimmer.

At 87 years old, Zimmerman has no plans of slowing down.
Today, she still leads the BGMC efforts for the preschool and elementary children, mentors families in their
homes on a weekly basis, puts on a children’s discipleship group at a local
elementary school, hosts a women’s Bible study which she started over 30 years
ago, and leads a monthly worship service at nursing homes in her area. “Ms.
Bonnie is out ministering in the community four to six times a week,” said
McNeely.

Zimmerman stated that while she has gone through times of
discouragement and times of wanting to step down from her ministry positions,
God continues to say to stay where He has planted her. “Though I’ve gone
through rough patches, I’ve never lost my first love and I will stay where He
wants me,” she remarked.

“Bonnie’s legacy will forever live on through the people she
has ministered to,” said McNeely. “So many men and women I know are in ministry
because of Bonnie and her dedication to discipling the next generation.”

Zimmerman was accompanied by her daughter, Jan Knecht, who
stated that her mother was nothing short of incredible. “I’m just so humbled by
all of this and I still can’t wrap my head around it,” Zimmerman said.

As she accepted her award, she said that she was receiving
the award on behalf of her Lord Jesus Christ and that this award meant more to
her than an Olympic medal. “An Olympic medal is focused on a person and their
ability,” she said, “but this medal gives recognition, not to abilities, but to
what God has done in us, and for us, and through us.”