By Marlene McTigue
Capital Region Independent Media
The Rev. Dr. Roxanne Jones Booth and the Rev. Antonio Booth, former leaders at Riverview Missionary Baptist Church in Coeymans, have been recognized with a prestigious award that celebrates their outstanding service and commitment to the community.
The Rev. Joyce Steinkraus Giles Pastoral Service Award, named in honor of the Rev. Giles, the first female executive director of the Capital Area Council of Churches (CACC), acknowledges clergy members who exemplify leadership in pastoral ministry, racial and gender inclusiveness, and active participation in the council’s programs.
The Booths have spent their careers dedicated to pastoral care, racial inclusiveness, and community outreach, embodying the values that the award represents.
The Rev. Roxanne Jones Booth, who also serves as an addiction counselor at the Addictions Care Center of Albany, noted that her calling to mission work began during her years of service in Africa. She spent a decade in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and South Africa as part of her denomination, the National Baptist Convention USA. This global experience, she explained, shaped her ministry and her passion for serving marginalized communities, both locally and abroad.
Locally, Pastor Roxanne Booth plays an active role in the Capital Area Council of Churches, particularly through their overflow shelter program. This shelter, which provides housing during the coldest months of the year, is designed to help those who are often turned away by other shelters, including individuals recently released from incarceration and those facing mental health challenges. Pastor Roxanne’s leadership was instrumental in relocating the shelter from the First Lutheran Church to the First Reformed Church in Albany after the original building was sold.
The Rev. Antonio Booth has made significant contributions through his leadership of the Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Scholarship Committee. Under his direction, the program has grown significantly, raising up to $14,000 annually for scholarships. The scholarships, awarded to local high school students, help further the legacy of Dr. King by supporting education and fostering interfaith and interracial understanding.
The Booths’ work extends beyond Riverview Missionary Baptist Church and the CACC. They have been key figures in fostering interdenominational collaboration through the RCS Association of Churches, participating in ecumenical services, community outreach programs, and events like the annual Good Friday service. Their work is deeply rooted in their belief in the power of community and their dedication to bringing people together across religious and cultural divides.
Receiving the Giles Award is a testament to the Booths’ decades of dedication and service. Both pastors expressed gratitude and humility upon receiving the recognition.
“When you’re pastoring, you’re just doing what God has called you to do,” the Rev. Antonio Booth said. “You’re not thinking about any accolades, you’re just doing what God told you to do.”
Looking forward, the Booths continue to work closely with the Capital Area Council of Churches and the local community. They emphasize the importance of inclusivity, compassion, and unity in all aspects of their work, helping to create a stronger, more cohesive community.
Their recognition serves as a reminder of the transformative power of service and faith, as well as the lasting impact of those who dedicate their lives to the well-being of others.
