Canó Honored With Excellence in Ministry Award

LOUISVILLE, KY. – Sonia Canó’s heart for children is evident whenever she speaks about them. When she recalls the prayers of a young girl after the tragedy in Uvalde, Tex., her emotion is unmistakable. The same intensity appears when she tells of two boys whose drawing of an airplane was not about travel, but a prayer for their grandparents to visit.

“Children right now, they’re lonely,” Canó said. “And children right now, they need hope and they need Jesus.”

For more than 35 years, Canó has channeled her passion into serving children. Her work brought her to the Southwestern Union in 2014, where she now serves as children’s ministries director. In January, her long-standing dedication was recognized with a lifetime achievement award from the North American Division (NAD).

Canó says she was attending the NAD Adventist Ministries Convention in Louisville, Ky., when Sherri Uhrig, children’s ministry director for the North American Division, sent her a text saying “we’re on.” Canó was confused. Later, when Uhrig approached and said “9:15, we need to be back on stage,” Canó still wasn’t sure what was happening. It wasn’t until a video presentation began, announcing Canó’s name for an Excellence in Ministry award that the realization hit her.

“I was like, whoa,” Canó said, describing the moment she realized she was being honored. But what touched her heart most wasn’t the award itself. It was seeing colleagues from across the North American Division standing up, clapping and enjoying the moment with her. “I will keep it in my heart,” she said.

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By Gerson Pancorbo

Communication Director

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