If you go
› What: The Rev. Roderick L. Ware’s last sermon in Chattanooga.› When: 10 a.m. Sunday, April 22.› Where: New Monumental Baptist Church, 901 Woodmore Lane.› Note: Ticket sales have ended for tonight’s “Job Well Done” farewell musical tribute to Ware at Greater Tucker Banquet Hall.
In the nine years he has lived in Chattanooga, the Rev. Roderick Ware has attempted to use every gift he has to help others.
He served as a male role model to youth who needed it, a counselor to grieving families after the fatal Woodmore bus crash and a motivator to people who wanted to live more fulfilled lives. His stay in the city comes to an end this month.
Ware has announced plans to start a new ministry in Gwinnett County near Atlanta. He preaches his last sermon as pastor of New Monumental Baptist Church on Sunday. He launches the Empowered Life Church at 5 p.m. May 5.
"What would a ministry be like that empowered its members to be kingdom walkers, to be water walkers, to be the head and not the tail," said Ware in a Facebook post this week. "It seemed like God was speaking to all of us saying, 'I want you to live an empowered life,' and just like that, we came on one accord and started believing that God was launching us to start the Empowered Life Church."
Elected officials, church members and friends will express their appreciation to Ware and his family during a farewell musical tribute tonight. WTVC NewsChannel 9 co-anchor Greg Funderburg will co-host the event with former Ms. Black Tennessee Natalie Williams. The theme is "Job Well Done."
Among accolades of the evening, the 49-year-old pastor will be presented a 2018 Presidential Volunteer Service Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Office of the President of the United States.
Ware is one of only three people in Chattanooga to obtain the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
Bishop Kevin Adams, recognized for work concerning violence reduction, was the first recipient in 2017. Jacqueline Carmon, who moved to Chattanooga in December, was next. She was recognized for volunteer work in 2015, but an illness prevented her from receiving the award until this year. Carmon will present the award to Ware tonight.
Mayor Andy Berke is among several community leaders scheduled to speak during the event.
"His ministry at New Monumental Baptist Church and his example of tireless servant leadership have earned him every commendation we can give," said Berke, in an emailed statement about Ware.
Ware started as pastor of New Monumental in 2009.
Since then several Chattanoogans have come to know him as a minister who cried with families during their times of grief, a minister who took young boys on field trips to invest in their lives and as a pastor who encouraged healthier lifestyles in the community by lacing up his tennis shoes to set the pace for a community 5K run.
"You just get up every day and wherever you see the need - if you see that you can help, you just fill that spot," said Ware.
Ware also served as a chaplain to the Chattanooga Police Department, chaplain of the day for the Tennessee Senate and he served ministers in the Clergy Koinonia, a nonprofit organization of pastors.
"On behalf of a city who loves him, I offer my thanks," said Berke.
Adams called Ware "a welcomed gift" to the community.
"He just came right in working and supporting people, and he's known nationally and internationally for a lot of work that he and his wife have done," said Adams.
The family is relocating to Atlanta after changes in his wife's employment here in Chattanooga.
"It required that she start looking for something to maintain her status as a surgeon, and she couldn't find anything here. Something opened back up in Atlanta," said Ware.
The move will also put the family closer to his mother-in-law, who lives in Atlanta.
Ware, an Orlando, Florida, native, is married to Dr. Vonda R. Ware, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist. They have two daughters.
Ware holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Morehouse College. He graduated with honors from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center with a master's of divinity, and he holds a doctorate of ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary.
He established and operated several businesses. He owned a franchise of The Athlete's Foot. He also has been a contractor with several major vendors at Orlando International Airport, including Dollar Rent-A-Car, Budget, Avis and Hertz. He owned a small trucking company and has served as a consultant for many small business owners.
Berke said the compassion and conviction Ware demonstrated during his time in Chattanooga exemplifies the best of the city.
"While he was not born here and is soon leaving us to open another chapter of his life, he has helped so many families in so many ways," said Berke. "We will always be proud to call him a Chattanoogan, and I am lucky to call him a friend."
Contact Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com at 423-757-6431.