Paul and Ruth Few Recognized for Generosity and Service

Paul and Ruth Few of Lincoln, Nebraska were honored with the Harry T. Ice Distinguished Service Award for their faithful generosity to local, regional, and general expressions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

For 57 years, Paul served Disciples Men’s ministries, including a term as President of the International Christian Men’s Fellowship in 1991. In 2023, when he retired, Paul was serving as the Men’s Ministries Coordinator in the Nebraska region, where he hosted retreats, led small groups, and helped men find a deeper faith in their walk with God.

Ruth has been devoted to the Nebraska region’s Kamp Kaleo. For nine years, she coordinated the annual “Junk Jaunt,” a yard sale running for many miles with food vendors and musical groups. This fundraiser has produced tens of thousands of dollars to support Nebraska’s camping ministry.

For decades, Paul and Ruth provided steady, humble leadership, and generous support to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Rooted in faith and commitment to the church, Paul and Ruth served on the boards for Disciples Home Missions, Phillips Theological Seminary, Kansas Christian Home, Kamp Kaleo, Child Saving Institute, the Nebraska Region, and their local congregation, Edenton Christian Church.

Where their service led, their generosity followed.

Together, Paul and Ruth spearheaded the work of establishing the Disciples Men’s Ministries Endowment Fund, supporting the work of Disciples Men throughout the denomination. Today, this endowment has more than 25 named funds, totaling nearly $450,000. Additionally, Paul and Ruth have established several life-income gifts with the Christian Church Foundation which will continue their financial support to the ministries they love, long after their days of service are over.

In 1984, the Christian Church Foundation established the Harry T. Ice Distinguished Service Award to recognize individuals who exhibit excellence in philanthropy in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The award is named for a devoted Disciples lay leader and the founder of Indianapolis-based Ice Miller, LLP. Ice served on the original Blue-Ribbon committee that led to the creation of the Foundation and its recognition as a general unit of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); was on the Foundation’s first Board of Directors; and acted as the Foundation’s first general counsel.

On behalf of the board and staff of the Christian Church Foundation, during the 2025 General Assembly, Kirby Gould, Vice President of the North Central Zone had the honor of presenting the Fews the award, highlighting years of dedication to the church.

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