A few years ago the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation launched pilot projects in Washington DC and Chicago. Called Poetry Out Loud, it emphasized memorization and performance as keys to developing an appreciation of poetry. The program helps students “master public speaking skills, build self confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.”
Poetry Out Loud went nationwide in 2006 and thousands of students participated. In year three of the national program more than 200,000 young people competed at local, regional, and national events. The winner was Shawntay A. Henry of the U. S. Virgin Islands.
This past week William Farley of Arlington, Virginia beat out 300,000 other poetry lovers to win the national crown. He recited a poem by Langston Hughes. His prize was a $20,000 scholarship and an invitation to recite a poem at the rededication of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
Second place finisher was Barbara Gooding of Western Hills High School in Frankfort, Kentucky. She received $10,000.
Sound familiar? Well, this is precisely what we hope to do with young preachers: give them encouragement, give them opportunity, give them a public forum for early development of the craft and calling of gospel preaching. The Festival of Young Preachers in January is a pilot project. It is not a competition and we will not be giving away thousands of dollars; but we to hope inspire the young people, their mentors, and their many supporters.
By the way: there are far more churches than high schools and colleges. We could have thousands of young people every year participating in preaching festivals all over the country. Who knows what might happen?