Prayers Of the People

Lifting the burden through spiritual care

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The Reverend Dr. Lawrence W. Johnson Award

Chaplain of the Year

In 1974, Reverend Dr. Lawrence W. Johnson’s vision took shape at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas. Faced with a growing number of requests to provide prayer, solace, and community resources for patients arriving to Houston for medical treatments, Rev. Johnson was inspired to utilize his Chaplaincy Training. After much prayer and asking for Volunteers, he Trained a group of five church members. Each especially Training Lay Chaplain was prepared to visit the sick and placed in one of the five major hospitals of the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. A great Guild of Spiritual Care Volunteers was born. This special Training is provided to Pastors, Deacons, Elders, and Lay people within the church setting who feel called to visit those suffering from crises, disease, isolation, suffering, and end-of-life in healthcare settings.

The Chaplain of the Year Award was created to recognize a faithful compassion for serving the sick envisioned by Reverend Johnson. This Award salutes individuals who dedicate their time shepherding or visiting God’s people who are suffering. Recommendations for this award come from various sources such as POP Board members and the Staff of POP who recognize devoted individuals whose Pastoral Care qualities exemplify this Award.

Faithfully serving, The Chaplain of the Year is one who exemplifies dedication to patients, families, medical communities, and their faith community. Feedback from churches, patients, and hospital Spiritual Care Departments helps PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE recognize and celebrate the awardee. Humility in service, prayerful visits, the showing of God’s loving grace, and deep care for patients are just some of the qualities the past recipients have shown. The Reverend Dr. Lawrence W. Johnson Award acknowledges how the Awardees’  transformative service to God, affects the well-being of their entire community-at-large.

The Reverend Dr. Lawrence W. Johnson Chaplain of the Year Award is presented to honorees at a PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE event.

2023 Chaplain of the Year 

The Reverend Dr. James T. Birchfield

Dr. Jim Birchfield’s Biographical sketch, CLICK HEREPictured are: Marta & Reverend Dr. Jim Birchfield 

Award presented at the 2023 Deep in the Heart of Texas Celebration on
February 23, 2023

Click Here for Event Photos

2022 Chaplain of the Year

Rev. Dr. Dave Peterson

Reverend Dr. Dave Peterson’s Biographical sketch, CLICK HERE

Award presented at the 2022 Deep in the Heart of Texas Celebration on
February 23, 2022

Click Here for Event Photos

2020 Chaplain of the Year 

Mack Taylor

Mack Taylor’s Biographical sketch, CLICK HERE Pictured are: POP Lay Chaplain Mack Taylor, Susan Taylor,
AnneMarie Wallace, President

Pictured are: POP Lay Chaplain Mack Taylor, Susan Taylor,
Rev. Kelvin Cox, Sr., POP Director of Operations & Spiritual Care

Award presented at the 2020 Deep in the Heart of Texas Celebration on
February 21, 2020

Click Here for Event Photos

2018 Chaplain of the Year

Arthur Gene Meyer

Arthur Gene Meyer’s Biographical sketch, CLICK HERE

Pictured are: Reverend Ann Marie Quigley-Swanson with Arthur Gene Meyer


Pictured are: Arthur Gene Meyer, AnneMarie Wallace, President,
Rev. Robert Kidd, Senior Vice President of Spiritual Care and Values Integration at Houston Methodist Hospital

In Loving Memory of Arthur Gene Meyer  CLICK HERE

Award presented at the 2018 Deep in the Heart of Texas Celebration on
September 28, 2018

Click Here for Event Photos

 2016 Chaplain of the Year 

Esmeralda Teo, MD

Dr. Esmeralda Teo’s Biographical sketch, CLICK HERE
Dr. Esmeralda Teo, POP Lay Chaplain holding her award and a “KayK’s POP Prayer Bear.”

“Thank you so much for the award! Oh my, I’ve never received anything like that before. It’s beautiful! and I am totally unworthy of it. I feel that it drives me to continue the work here, with my patients, and those around me – encouraging them, and being a channel of God’s love to those who need it.” – Esmeralda Teo [she is now serving at Singapore General Hospital, Republic of Singapore]

Dr. Esmeralda Teo and her husband, Dr. Mingyann Lim with their son, Dao Yi Lim 

Pictured are: POP Lay Chaplain Dr. Esmeralda Teo and Dr. Mingyann Lim with their
sons Dao Yi Lim and Johanan.

Award presented at the 2016 Deep in the Heart of Texas Celebration on
October 4, 2016

Click Here for Event Photos

2014 Chaplain of the Year 

Dot Uthlaut

POP Lay Chaplain Dot Uthlaut’s Biographical sketch, CLICK HERE

Pictured are: Rev. Robert Kidd, Houston Methodist, Rev. Steve Spidell,
POP Lay Chaplain Dot Uthlaut, Rev. Charles Millikan, Houston Methodist,
AnneMarie Wallace, President

In Loving Memory of Dot Uthlaut  Click Here

Award presented at the 2014 Deep in the Heart of Texas Celebration on
November 6, 2014

Click Here for Event Photos

© 2025 Prayers Of the People
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