Friday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m.

They serve because they have been called to do so. Their earthly rewards are often meager and small. Yet they are our leaders, our faith leaders, spiritual guides and comforters.

They set the moral direction for our communities — and give us hope when we are down. They are our mentors, our ministers, our pastors; shepherds of our communities. And, they deserve our thanks.

BLACK EXPO 2010 will honor five of these leaders at the annual Glory Awards presentation set for Friday, February 19, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 202 of the Sacramento Convention Center.

The Awards are given annually to five of Northern California’s most outstanding spiritual leaders. The 2010 Glory Awards is sponsored by PG&E.

Here is a full description of the 2010 Glory Award honorees:

Minister Imhotep Elijah Alkebulan,

Wo’se Community Church;

His name means “He who comes in Peace.” He is an ordained Minister of Wo’se Community Church of the Sacred African Way. Minister Imhotep Elijah Alkebulan currently serves as the Senior Minister of Wo’se Community Church of Sacramento. He is also a founding member of Wo’se Community Church of Oakland.

Over the past 30 years, Minister Alkebulan has brought knowledge and information to the Sacramento community by facilitating the appearance of some of the most noteworthy African scholars and authors to Northern California.

Born in Oakland, Calif., Minister Alkebulan’s parents were community activists in their neighborhood. Young Alkebulan saw at an early age the value and importance of neighborhood people being involved in their community.

At Wo’se, Minister Alkebulan sees his church, and much of its teachings, as a sort of “Spiritual wing to the Black Studies Movement in the 1960s and 1970s.”

The minister strongly feels that it is important for his congregants and others, to understand the African perspective and influence in Christian teachings.

He says that the motto at Wo’se is “Know Thyself.”

“We want them to know that it is Black people themselves that we are discussing in many of the Biblical scriptures,” stated the Minister.

Minister Alkebulan is a family man, the husband of Doris Alkebulan, for 23 years, and the father of two sons, Rahotep Annu, 18, a freshman at Howard University; and, Baba Bennu, 14, a student at Jesuit High School.

Rev. Glenn R. Shields,

Pastor, Progressive Community Church, Stockton, California;

The Rev. Glenn R. Shields is a humble man. And yet, this preacher of the gospel has a very powerful message for those who are fortunate enough to hear him.

Pastor of the Progressive Community Church in South Stockton, Calif., the Rev. Shields’ message is a message of Hope.

His church has grown and continues to grow and prosper because of his leadership.

Progressive Community Church currently has more than 1,200 members. In 2008, Pastor Shields led Progressive to build a 40,000 square foot Worship center in South Stockton.

He says that the church has always been a mainstay in the Black community. Not only as a place to hear the Word and worship God, but a place “to demonstrate God’s love.”

“Our churches should strive to help our communities socially, physically, as well as spiritually,” says Rev. Shields.

“We should be able to touch every aspect of our members’ lives,” the pastor adds.

Always humble and thankful of those who have helped him develop, the Rev. Shields says that much of the growth in his ministry can be attributed to being nurtured by some of the area’s most respected ministers, such as the Rev. Ephraim Williams, Pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Sacramento, who has served as a mentor to him.

Pastor Shields and his wife, Yvette Shields have been married for 27 years. The Shields are the proud parents of four adult children, Glenn Jr., James, David and Brooke.

Rev. Donnell Riggins,

Pastor, Del Paso Union Baptist Church;

The Rev. Donnell Riggins has a lifelong connection with the church. Some of his fondest and longstanding memories are those of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where as a child, he remembers his grandfather, the Rev. John Riggins, serving as church pastor.

Today, the Rev. Riggins is following in his grandfather’s footsteps. He serves as Pastor of the Del Paso Union Baptist Church in North Sacramento.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Pastor Riggins is the eldest of three sons born to Donald and Elaine Riggins.

When the Riggins family moved from Ohio to California, young Riggins remained true to his roots. He attended Sunday School and participated in his church’s youth activities.

From ordained deacon, to ordained minister, to esteemed pastor, Rev. Riggins has continued his close walk with the Almighty. He says that it is his mission, his all-consuming passion, “for people everywhere to know the life transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Riggins and his wife, Natalie Gail Nobel, are blessed with two loving children, Micah Sarai and Joshua Donnell.

Rev. Bryant C. Wyatt,

Pastor, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church

Pastor Bryant C. Wyatt’s journey to the pulpit took him down many roads. But all the roads that he has traveled have led him to the pastorship of one of Sacramento’s most popular churches, the Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.

For the Rev. Wyatt, becoming pastor of Mt. Calvary in 1988, was like a dream come true.

He shares that he was first called to Christ at the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Oakland, Calif. As a youngster he attended school in the East Bay area, ultimately graduating from Contra Costa Community College in San Pablo.

The young Wyatt was called to the preaching ministry while he was affiliated with the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, Richmond, Calif., under the leadership of the Rev. J.H. Green.

To help expand his knowledge of scripture and the ministry, Rev. Wyatt attended the Spring Valley Bible College and Seminary and later the Golden Gate Baptist College.

After moving to Sacramento, Minister Wyatt united with the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and continued his study of the ministry. He went on to receive a bachelor of theology degree from the Sacramento Theological Seminary.

Rev. Wyatt’s devotion and long affiliation with Mt. Calvary eventually allowed him to be named the church’s pastor.

A significant focus of Pastor Wyatt’s leadership at Mt. Calvary has been his concern for today’s youth. A large portion of his ministry is devoted to providing a soul-saving message and direction for young people.

Pastor Wyatt is highly respected in the community and is active in numerous associations and committees. He currently serves as secretary of the United Pastors of Sacramento.

Rev. Rosalee Charley

Pastor, Faith Fellowship Community Church

Mindful that there are few more challenging callings that are pursued in our lifetime than the calling to pastorship, the Rev. Rosalee Charley takes her pastoral calling very seriously.

Rev. Charley serves as the dynamic Pastor of the Faith Fellowship Community Church, located in the community of North Highlands. Faith Fellowship has a growing membership of 850.

A native of Marrero, La., Rev. Charley moved to Sacramento in 1958. Those who know this dynamic woman, know that her walk with Christ dates back many years. She shares, however, while there have been many challenges, it has been “a joyful walk.”

She credits much of her spiritual development and guidance to the Rev. C.M. Cummings, pastor emeritus of the New Testament Baptist Church.

Pastor Charley maintained her membership at New Testament for 27 years. And, while at New Testament, she served the church in many capacities.

Her calling, however, was always to the ministry. She studied the Word and became a certified Biblical instructor. Later, she became a licensed and ordained minister. And finally, a pastor.

Her gift for leadership, sharing the Word, and making others happy, have gained her the high respect and admiration of those around her.

Affectionately called “Pastor Rose,” the Rev. Charley is the mother of four children (Kimberly, Carlos, Dale and Douglas) and, the proud grandmother of four.