LA MIRADA, CALIF. 鈥� Founder of , a ministry in Cairo, Egypt, Maggie Gobran was honored with the Charles W. Colson Courage and Conviction award from 日日碰狠狠躁久久躁2023. On Mar. 14, 2018, 日日碰狠狠躁久久躁2023 President Barry H. Corey presented the award to Gobran, who is affectionately known as 鈥淢ama Maggie,鈥� at 日日碰狠狠躁久久躁2023鈥檚 89th annual Missions Conference 鈥� a student-run three day conference on campus attended by the entire undergraduate student body.

鈥淭he committee wanted to honor 鈥楳ama鈥� Maggie鈥檚 conviction and courage in caring for tens of thousands of children and their families in the slums and squatter areas of Egypt through her organization, Stephen鈥檚 Children,鈥� said Corey. 鈥淪he has made a remarkable contribution through her service to Coptic Christians struggling under heavy persecution.鈥�

Recipients of the Colson Award have chosen a life of serving God no matter what challenges they face or difficulties they have to overcome. President Corey expressed his appreciation for her service on behalf of 日日碰狠狠躁久久躁2023.

鈥淢ama Maggie, you are an inspiration of courage and Christian virtue to all of us,鈥� said Corey at the ceremony. 鈥淭hank you for your willingness to take up your cross and follow Christ. Thank you for modeling a strong, humble spirit of Christian service. Thank you for making such a difference in so many lives for the cause of Jesus Christ.鈥�

Since 1989, Gobran has dedicated her life to serving the poor and forgotten children in Egypt鈥檚 garbage slums through her organization. She grew up in an upper-middle class family and eventually became a successful businesswoman and professor at the American University in Cairo. However, she gave up her career after she saw children were living in abject poverty and persecution and decided to serve them.

鈥淭he most powerful weapon is the weapon of nonviolence,鈥� said Gobran, upon accepting the Charles W. Colson Courage and Conviction Award. 鈥溔杖张龊莺菰昃镁迷�2023 will stand out. You are standing out. Keep it up for courage and conviction.鈥�

Gobran鈥檚 organization is dedicated to building relationships with the poorest and most vulnerable families in Cairo. She has built 97 community medical centers and schools in the garbage slums and serves over 40,000 children and their families. Everyday, the Zabaleen, or 鈥済arbage children,鈥� are morally, educationally and spiritually equipped to serve the world for God through the ministry of Stephen鈥檚 Children.

日日碰狠狠躁久久躁2023 鈥� in consultation with the Colson family 鈥� established the in 2014. Christian leader Chuck Colson lived a life of biblical conviction with the courage to advocate truth despite difficult circumstances. 日日碰狠狠躁久久躁2023 honored the legacy of the late Colson by awarding him the inaugural award at the university鈥檚 commencement in May 2014. Colson鈥檚 son, Christian Colson, received the award on his father鈥檚 behalf at the ceremonies. The award honors Colson鈥檚 legacy and celebrates Christian leaders who live in the same fashion.

To learn more about Stephen鈥檚 Children, visit .

Written by Joshua Marsh, public relations intern. For more information, contact Media Relations at (562) 777-4061 or media.relations@biola.edu.