51798_4468832315738_891592946_oAsbury Theological Seminary Trustee JoAnne Lyon received the World Methodist Council’s 2016 World Methodist Peace Award. The award was presented to Dr. Lyon on September 3 at the World Methodist Council Conference in Houston, Texas.

“I am always delighted when I hear of how God is honoring the faithful witness of those who serve as trustees of Asbury Theological Seminary,” Dr. Timothy Tennent, President of Asbury Seminary, said. “We encourage you to rejoice with all of us for how God has used Dr. Lyon through her faithfulness to the mission of Jesus Christ through His church.”

Dr. Lyon founded and served as CEO of World Hope International, Alexandria, Va., from 1996-2008. She began that ministry in her home and in 12 years grew the organization to a $17 million (annual) global Christian relief and development agency. World Hope International serves in 30 countries and is dedicated to alleviating suffering and injustice.

“In this time, we care about needy and suffering people, about immigrants, about racial reconciliation, about refugees, about human trafficking, and about the equality of God’s image in women,” Dr. Lyon said. “The prophet Amos said: ‘But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’ Seeking justice alone can become all political. But righteousness without seeking justice for others leads to isolation from the world. We find that balance, including both justice and righteousness, rooted in the Bible and in our historical identity.”

Previous recipients include President Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela, Boris Trajkovsky (Macedonia), The Community of St. Egidio (Rome), the Grandmothers of the Plaza De Mayo (Argentina), Rosalind Colwill (Nigeria), Joy Balazo (Asia and the Pacific), Rev. Mario and Anita Way for their work in poverty-stricken areas of Brazil, and most recently, Dr. and Mrs. Hugh G. Johnson for their lifelong work as missionaries in North Africa.

Dr. Lyon and her husband served for more than 30 years in pastoral ministry, during which time she held a variety of roles. She served for eight years as General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church and as an Ambassador for The Wesleyan Church. She also served as the representative of The Wesleyan Church to the President of The United States Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, on the board of directors of many organizations including the National Association of Evangelicals Executive Committee, Christian Community Development Association, National Religious Partnership for the Environment, Asbury Theological Seminary, Council on Faith of the World Economic Forum, and as an Ex–Officio member for all Wesleyan institutions of higher education. She also has been Adjunct Professor of Church and Society at Indiana Wesleyan University and Asbury Theological Seminary.

Dr. Lyon has received five honorary doctorates and wrote The Ultimate Blessing, as well as many articles for various publications.

The World Methodist Council is a Christian World Communion composed of 80 denominations, ministering to 80.5 million people in more than 134 countries around the world who share a common heritage that dates back to John Wesley.