A 2025 Lift Him Up Awardee Alfie Jelks

The Courier Eco Latino Lift Him Up Awards honor men in our community whose strength, perseverance, and unwavering commitment serve as a beacon for others. These distinguished honorees inspire, encourage, and uplift those around them—especially fellow men—by walking in purpose, leading by example, and empowering others to rise.

Alfie Jelks embodies this spirit.

A 1986 graduate of Kendrick High School, Alfie pursued higher education with determination, earning degrees from Chattahoochee Valley Community College, Troy University, and Liberty University. In 2014, he completed his Master of Divinity, following his 2009 commissioning as a U.S. Army Reserve Chaplain.

His humanitarian journey began in 2000 with nothing but a credit card and a calling—to serve in Jinja, Uganda. From that leap of faith, Alfie founded The Soul of My Footprint, a global mission that has since mobilized thousands of donations from the Columbus area, led 13 trips to Uganda, and changed countless lives. His efforts culminated in the construction of a hospital in the Wakiso District and the launch of the organization’s first medical team in 2017. In 2023, the Soul of My Footprint Medical Center officially opened its doors.

Guided by the conviction that “great people serve others, while successful people only serve themselves,” Alfie Jelks has built a life of service, sacrifice, and purpose. His global impact is rooted in a deeply personal mission—and we are honored to recognize him as a 2025 Lift Him Up Award recipient.