CHURCH GIVES COMMUNITY AWARDS.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

CANOGA PARK - Taking their cue from Barnabas, the New Testament encourager of men, the congregation at Canoga Park Presbyterian Church will honor three public service heroes on Sunday.

Los Angeles Police Officer Jose Maldonado, from the West Valley station in Reseda; Sheriff's Deputy Michael Woodard, from the Lost Hills-Malibu station; and Los Angeles Firefighter and Paramedic John Terrusa from Station 17 in Canoga Park, will each receive the church's first Build a Better Community awards in appreciation of their service.

``We want to honor and encourage the younger people,'' said John Whitmore, committee chairman of the event. ``A lot of the time, people get honored only when they're about to retire. (These men) lay their life on the line every day. Somebody has to step forward and take the lead to show that the community cares about them. Why does it have to take a 9-11 to appreciate these people?''

Maldonado, Woodard and Terrusa were chosen for their outstanding character and achievements by their respective supervisors. The church committee had only one requirement for the supervisors: Choose someone who has 10 or fewer years with the department.

``I'm extremely frustrated to see a trend of young people getting the training from the city of L.A., but after they get hired, the city doesn't embrace them,'' said Whitmore, a member of Canoga Park Presbyterian Church since 1971. ``The officers don't feel appreciated and we lose them. In our own small way, our congregation can show our appreciation to the younger officers.''

The Rev. Jon Wilson said he ``planted seeds'' at the church for the community award by talking about his experience as a police and fire chaplain in Orange County.

``I got a chance to ride around with the police. I was struck by the disrespect they received, how they were taken for granted and how they were talked to only when people were mad at them,'' said Wilson, who has been with the church since 2000. ``We chose this date to tie in with the Thanksgiving spirit.''

Acting upon the revealing police ride-alongs, Wilson's previous congregation in La Habra honored police, fire and sheriff departments, as well as city council members, with a special Sunday service and luncheon. Wilson recalled how the mayor responded to his former church's appreciation day.

``The mayor said to me, `In my 30 years of public service, nobody has expressed appreciation or thanked me unless they wanted something in return,''' Wilson said. ``We do a few outreach projects, but we do them well. I think it's going to be a very successful day.''

The message Wilson will deliver on Sunday, ``The Barnabas Way,'' is based on the Apostle Paul's companion in Acts 11:23. Barnabas is considered to be a ``great encourager,'' Wilson said.

The spirit of encouraging people is also reflected in a different way in the church's motto ``Get God, Get Together and Get Going.'' The philosophy of volunteering in the community is reflected in two church outreach programs.

``For the past six years, our youth pastor, Ellie Hernandez, has turned our social hall into a basketball court. The kids come by, hear a gospel message and listen to his band. He's an incredible guy, a talented athlete and a great musician, too,'' said Wilson. ``I think he sees about 50 kids every Friday night. It stops the kids from wandering the streets. It's a great outreach.''

The more than 40-year-old church, a block west of Canoga Park High School, is also proud of its Family Rescue Center. The center provides clothing, food, job training on computers and a parish nurse program serving about 180 needy families a month.

Build a Better Community Awards service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Canoga Park Presbyterian Church, 22103 Vanowen St., Canoga Park. For information on monetary donations to the Family Rescue Center or Friday Basketball Nights, call [phone].

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The Rev. Jon Wilson, left, and John Whitmore, chairman of the Build a Better Community awards committee, will give honors to two police officers and a firefighter-paramedic on Sunday in appreciation for their service to the local area.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News