Sister Maria Luisa Piraquive Receives the U.S President’s Lifetime Achievement Award

The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award is a civil award signed by President Joseph Biden Jr. and AmeriCorps, a volunteer program of the federal government of the United States. It highlights extraordinary efforts to help others. 

This recognition honors Sister Maria Luisa Piraquive for her lifelong career and civic commitment, dedicated to building a stronger society by contributing thousands of hours of volunteer service. 

The award was presented publicly in the Church of God Ministry of Jesus Christ International in Weston, Florida, in May 2024.

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Text Found on the Certificate:

Lifetime Achievement Award

With grateful recognition, AmeriCorps and the office of the President of the United States honors Maria Luisa Piraquive with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for their lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
2024
Awarded

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Thank you Speech by Sister Maria Luisa Piraquive

“Thank you. I am so happy to receive this award and recognition. And what I love the most is that they say churches or religions help human beings in their lives, to help them progress, and to change. 

The Church and the path of God help to renew everyone’s hearts: those who suffer domestic violence or have struggled with suicide, even those who suffer from substance abuse, and those who commit criminal acts. The Lord is willing to change their lives and their hearts, to renew their being. That is beautiful. 

God has given us all this task, to carry out this mission. The mission of preaching and teaching, of proclaiming the word of God, and of contributing voluntarily with social work to benefit the less fortunate or those who suffer from different circumstances so that they may find well-being and be brought to life in God. That is beautiful. 

I thank the Lord for this recognition due to the volunteer work we have been advocating for many years because all of this is part of what God has spoken to me. This is the fulfillment of His promises, of what He has told me about in my life. 

In this regard, on one occasion, the Lord said to me: ‘The time will come when you will be honored and revered.’ I was frightened by these words, but reflecting on the Bible, we find Bible figures who were honored, and God allowed it in order to manifest Himself and to bless people. 

For example, Daniel was honored; Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, was also honored and revered; or Gamaliel, of who it is said was revered by the people. Then, I realized that it was not bad, and I thanked the Lord because He made me that promise, thanks to the heavenly Father, because all this comes from God. Thank you, thank you all!”