Brewer Lake Baptist Church Honored By Department Of Defense For Extraordinary Support

Submitted

Day, Florida – The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program, announced last week the Congregation of the Brewer Lake Baptist Church, in Day, Florida,

received the ESGR Above and Beyond Award in recognition of the extraordinary support of Chaplain (Major) Michael Hornback, Church Pastor, who serves in the Florida Army National Guard.

“The ESGR Above and Beyond Award was created to publicly recognize U.S. employers providing extraordinary patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said ESGR State Vice-Chair Tim Lambert, “Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”

Chaplain Hornback said in his Award Nomination, “I was recently activated for three months for COVID Operations and the support I received from my Congregation was incredible. I am the only full-time pastor, yet this Church never complained once about losing me for three months even though I know it put a significant strain on the Church. Not only did they enthusiastically support my military service, but they continued to pay me my full-time salary. This is particularly incredible considering they were not obligated to do so under the USERRA law. Furthermore, the Church was incredibly supportive of my family. Members assisted my wife in taking my children to doctor appointments, mowed our lawn, took care of the trash and many, many more acts of service. I could not have completed my mission as the COVID Task Force Chaplain without the above and beyond support of my Congregation.”

ESGR is a Department of Defense program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers.

For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/FL