iPreach: Support a Young Preacher

IPREACH. Inspiring young people in their call to gospel preaching.

July 2011

In This Issue

Featured Young Preacher

A Word from Dr. Moody

The Academy of Preachers is a national, ecumenical initiative launched through a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment of Indianapolis and enlarged through the gifts of individuals and organizations. The Academy is energized by the conviction that gospel preaching is a vocation of public and social significance, a calling worthy of the very best and brightest of our young people.

FOUNDING PARTNERS

Greetings from the Academy of Preachers!

CJ Childs

Summer has arrived and with it comes endless ways we can share the message of the Academy of Preachers. One of the best ways you can help us support Young Preachers is through giving.

As an Academy of Preachers supporter you can give in many different ways: through partnership, mentorship, and volunteerism. You can also support us in our mission to Identify, Network, Support and Inspire Young Preachers through monetary gifts.

In the month of July, the Academy of Preachers seeks to raise $10,000 through online donations. All donations directly support the mission and programs of the AoP.

This year, we have already ramped up our fundraising efforts, with current proceeds totaling $16,785. Through your generous donation and sponsorship we are well on our way to the year-end goal of $140,000.

Don't let the summer pass by without experiencing the blessings that come through giving!

Featured Young Preacher: Matthew Giovenco

Matthew Giovenco is a rising senior at H.B. Plant High School in Tampa, FL and a long time friend of Tanner White, the Academy of Preachers' Program Associate and Florida Field Representative. Matthew and Tanner picked up Dr. Dwight Moody from Tampa International Airport on Wednesday, June 22, to attend the General Assembly of The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship . Two days later, Matt witnessed two young preachers proclaim the gospel at the first Festival of Young Preachers to be hosted by a denomination.

As a life-long member of the PC (USA), Matt had never experienced preaching from different denominations. Mary Alice Birdwhistle and Barrett Owen opened the eyes of Matt's soul "to see different people's perspectives on the Lord's work in the world." Matt met Young Preachers from all over the country and heard the Spirit speak through them in new and unique ways. Matt witnessed the mission and ministry of the AoP in action. He is now praying and watching for a way to preach at the 2012 National Festival of Young Preachers in Louisville.

Matt aspires to grow his youth group by reaching out to people who don't normally go to church. This year he addressed First Presbyterian Church to testify about his mission trip to Nashville after natural disasters devastated the area. On another occasion, Matt testified on the importance of tithing during his home church's stewardship campaign. Matt seeks to serve God through leading the middle school students at his church and preaching to them when given the opportunity.

We are blessed to walk alongside Matt as we work to Identify, Network, Support and Inspire him and many others like him. May the Lord continue to bless you, Matthew. We are delighted to see the Spirit at work in you and your ministry!

A Word from Dr. Moody

Indiana, Texas & New York.

Of all the initiatives we have "tested" during our two-year-plus tenure as an organization, none has caught the imagination of our constituency like the Festival of Young Preachers. Two National Festivals have set the pace, but it is the half dozen smaller Festivals that have opened the door to the future of the Academy of Preachers.

Campus festivals were pioneered by Morehouse College in Atlanta but have since been replicated in Ohio, Texas, Indiana, and Tennessee. This fall the Campus Festival of Young Preachers at the University of Evansville will be expanded into our first Regional Festival. We call it the Midwestern Festival of Young Preachers at the University of Evansville. It will be a 2-day affair on November 11-12, 2011 and will be part of the homecoming festivities of the university.

The Midwestern Festival has slots for 20 young preachers, up from 6 a year ago when 2 university students, 2 high school students, and 2 seminary students stood to preach. Seasoned preachers for plenary sessions will add depth to the event this fall; and for those who stay over for Sunday, I will take the pulpit in Neu Chapel for the morning worship service.

In the fall of 2012 all eyes will turn to Texas for an even bigger regional festival, the Texas Festival of Young Preachers, bringing together 42 young adults. The first planning session has been held in Austin, hosted by the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. We anticipate that our current crop of 5 Founding and National Partners in the state will quadruple by the time the Festival rolls around.

Want to be a part of this? We now have Facebook sites for both the Midwestern Festival and the Texas Festival. Look for Academy of Preachers: Midwestern and Academy of Preachers: Texas and join.

Further down the line is the New York City Festival of Young Preachers, scheduled for September of 2013.

The popularity of these festivals derives from the delight that young people have in being offered a place to preach. Compared to young athletes, young musicians, young entrepreneurs, young explorers, even young farmers, the young adults who aspire to preaching have few opportunities to hone their skills and polish their craft. We are hopeful that congregations, associations, synods, conventions and general assemblies of all Christian traditions will embrace this new strategy of encouragement and create public platforms for their Young Preachers.

Of course, the chief dynamic that elevates these gatherings toward gospel glory is the peer inspiration that flows among, between, and through these Young Preachers. It is powerful. It is transformational. It is hope and healing for preachers of any age!

Make your plans now to attend the third National Festival of Young Preachers, January 2-5, 2012, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Dwight A. Moody

Gospel Catalyst