A local leader was presented with a prestigious leadership award last night for his work with Winnipeg youth.

Youth For Christ (YFC) Executive Director John Courtney was this years' recipient of the ELO Entrepreneurial Leaders Award in recognition of a "lifetime of putting others first."

YFC Winnipeg, which has become the largest in North America under Courtney, strives as an organization to help young people reach their full potential.

Courtney will be completing his 47th year of ministry with the organization in June 2019.

"John is a visionary with a huge heart for God and for the kids in his city of Winnipeg," commented Dave Brereton, former Chair of YFC Canada and now Chairman of YFC International, who has worked closely with Courtney in the past.

"I remember vividly when he would share his dream of a beautiful modern facility where we could serve all kids and their parents. We stood together on an empty piece of ground that he did not own yet and committed this vision to God.  Then John took action with huge steps of faith to see it come to fruition. God honours faith." 

The ELO Entrepreneurial Leaders Award exists to "recognize the track record of a person(s) who can serve as an inspiration to others to pursue Christian entrepreneurial leadership."

The individual who receives the Award must act as a role model to others, inspiring them to attain greater successes, as well as display and exemplify the qualities of entrepreneurial leadership embedded in the Christian worldview, according to ELO.

"The recipient of the Award must be a role model to inspire other entrepreneurial leaders to others to greater heights of significance," read the ELO news release. "John serves as a great inspiration to leaders in the Christian community as an example of the impact people can have in their community—whether in business or a non-profit—through dedicated service over an extended period of time."