The Rev. Canon Emmanuel Ike Receives “Angel of Outreach” Award

The Angel of Outreach award presented to The Rev. Canon Emmanuel Ike on September 12,2026. (Note: The award bears the original meeting date as it was inscribed before the meeting was rescheduled.)

And he thought he was just giving a presentation…!

During UBE Arizona’s programming year kick-off Chapter Meeting at Saint James Episcopal Church (Tempe) on Sep 12th, The Rev. Canon Emmanuel Ike gave a wonderful presentation about his decades of mission and ministry in Africa, serving the people - particularly orphaned children - of his native Nigeria and in Kenya.

Many photos were on display from his too-many-to-count trips. Among them: pictures of food, clothing, and Bibles he delivered; of a bore hole he helped build to bring water to villagers; of the beautiful faces of the schoolchildren celebrating receipt of the bus he donated; and of he and his wife, Elizabeth, with the twins they recently adopted, the second time they have welcomed new family members from among the children in the orphanages they have served. He recounted moving stories of these interactions and many more.

Then, a surprise…!

President Helenor Webb appeared by Zoom to present Rev. Ike the “Angel of Outreach” award from the Chapter, reading a poem in his honor:

Your feet travel the paths of our souls
Of ancestors unknown and unheralded
But forever revered

Your hands do the work of our hearts
For siblings unhoused and unnourished
But forever beloved

Your life embodies the dreams of our spirits
Living in service, unboastful and undaunted
But forever admired

Congratulations, Rev. Ike, and thank you for your inspiring example of true discipleship!