For
the first time, American Baptists will be hosting a Festival of Young
Preachers at our Biennial Summit in Overland Park. Affiliated with the
national, ecumenical Academy of Preachers, the Festival brings together
young persons called to be preachers of the Gospel. The purpose is to
identify and support young people while cultivating within them the
conviction that Gospel preaching is a vocation of great social and
spiritual significance, worthy of their very best.
Not a
competition, this is a celebration, an inspiration, and an occasion for
mutual edification and encouragement. Young preachers, ages 14-28, are
invited to preach a 15 minute sermon at the Festival as they would in
their home environment. They receive constructive feedback from
renowned preachers, learn from their peers, make lasting friendships,
and demonstrate the power and movement of God's spirit among us. They
also have an opportunity to experience the fun and vitality of an
American Baptist Biennial Summit.
View photos from past events here. Or, click here to read Testimonials about the event. A planning team in Kansas City is working to recruit young preachers from across the denomination and provide scholarships for their expenses. American Baptist Churches can be involved by: • nominating a young person to preach at the Festival of Young Preachers at the Biennial Summit • sponsoring and mentoring a young preacher • accompanying a young preacher to the Biennial Summit Festival of Young Preachers • providing financial support for a young preacher • coming to the Biennial Summit and listening to a young preacher
"I attended my first Festival of Young Preachers at Green Lake this past summer and hope to attend many more," said Dr. C. Jeff Woods, associate general secretary for Regional Ministries of ABCUSA. "I was humbled and impressed by the depth of insight and fresh thinking voiced by the young preachers. God is giving us a word through these young voices, not for tomorrow, but for today. One of our current ABC Mission Table emphases is upon inter generational ministries. I encourage all generations to come and hear what these voices are saying."
Registration will be online in February 2015 through the American Baptist Churches USA website. Stay tuned!