  The Charles William Singer Lifetime of Service Award recognizes an individual or couple who have demonstrated a lifetime of faithful service to the Lord Jesus Christ especially as it relates to a commitment to the advancement of the cause of world missions. Since 2000, Bridge Builders International has presented this award in the loving memory of Rev. Charles Singer at its annual banquets in Oregon and Texas, and at special ceremonies.
Rev. Charles William Singer was the maternal grandfather of BBI President, Chuck Kelley. Born in Latvia in 1904, he gave his life to the Lord Jesus as his Savior in 1920. After service in the Latvian army and higher education in Latvia and London, he served the Lord as a pastor and evangelist in his homeland for 20 years, until 1944 when he fled Latvia during the second Soviet invasion. In 1930, he established the Latvian Faith Mission, a British based mission designed to assist Latvian students, pastors, evangelists and church planters.
After surviving one year in the hands of the Soviet Communists, four and a half years under the Nazis (in Latvia, Poland and Austria) and another four and a half years in refugee camps in Germany, he led his small family to California in 1949. He soon established the International Refugee Mission, which assisted thousands of refugees with humanitarian aid and the possibility to immigrate to the West.
By the 1960's, IRM broadened its scope to assist refugee and national pastors in 15 different nations, including Belgium, Finland, West Germany, France, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, India and Argentina. During these years he prepared hundreds of Christian radio messages which were broadcasted into Latvia from Western Europe.
Charles Singer returned to Latvia for the first time in 1989, ending a period of 45 years during which it was impossible for him to visit his homeland. He returned to preach, distribute aid and visit relatives every year until 1996. He died three weeks shy of his 93rd birthday. He served His Lord until he took his last breath in March 1997.
It can be rightly said that Bridge Builders International is the next generation extension of the Latvian Faith Mission, the International Refugee Mission and the life of Charles W. Singer. It is therefore appropriate for BBI to recognize choice, faithful people who have served the Lord for many years, especially in the fields of international ministry with a focus on Latvia.
AWARD RECIPIENTS
 |
2007
BARRY and DIANE OSTROM
In recognition of their lifetime of service and ministry:
Education Church Service
Community Service
Love for Children and Youth
Generosity Faithfulness
Their many years of service for Lord Jesus Christ, especially their devotion to church, children, community and the ministry of Bridge Builders International in Latvia
is a blessing and example for all.
|
|
|
2007
DAVE and BECKY HARLESS
In recognition of their life time of service and ministry:
Love for children Initiative
Playground Ministry Generosity
Sacrifice Faithfulness
Their many years of service for our Lord Jesus Christ, especially their devotion to Latvia, children, and Bridge Builders International
is a blessing and example for all.
|
 |
2006
MARGY and JUDY WOODBURN
In gratitude and recognition of their lifetime of work and ministry:
Education Service
Encouragement Compassion
Faithfulness Generosity
Their lifetime of service for our Lord Jesus Christ; their devotion to education; their commitment to ministry to people in need, and their faithful support for Bridge Builders International is a blessing and inspiration for all.
|
 |
2005
ROBERT HOOKER
• Education
• Global Impact Leadership
• Churchmanship • Encouragement
• Faithfulness • Prayer
His lifetime of devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ; his faithful service to his church; his distinguished career as an educator; his advocacy for partnership ministry with Latvia; and his faithful friendship with Bridge Builders International is a blessing and inspiration for all.
|
 |
2005
HERMON and VIRGINIA COOK
• Education • Children’s Ministry
• Encouragement • Philanthropy
• Faithfulness • Prayer
Their lifetime of devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ; their faithful service to their church; their distinguished career as an educator; and their faithful and sacrificial support for Bridge Builders International is a blessing and inspiration for all.
|
|
2005
JOHN BASS
• Leadership • Education
• Mission Mobilzation • Philanthropy
• Mentorship • Prayer
His lifetime of devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ; his distinguished career of service to industry, Moody Bible Institute, the Christian Booksellers Association and the Crowell Trust; his commitment to mentor and encourage leaders and organizations; and his remarkable commitment to world missions is an example, blessing and inspiration for all.
|
 |
2005
THURSTON and DORIS DOLER
• Education • Leadership
• Encouragement • Churchmanship
• Faithfulness • Philanthropy
Their lifetime of devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ; their faithful service to their church; their distinguished career as a professor; and their long and faithful friendship and support for Bridge Builders International is a blessing and inspiration for all.
|
|
|
November 2005
LARRY and RUTH YORK
Their lifetime of service for our Lord Jesus Christ; their life-long passion, initiative and leadership on behalf of Latvia; their devotion to their church; and their long and faithful friendship and support for Bridge Builders International is a blessing and inspiration for all.
|
|
|