The target region of the 18-month pilot project of the Academy of Preachers includes Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee but already schools and businesses in Georgia, Alabama and Missouri have become Founding Partners with the Academy; see the complete list at the link BE A PARTNER.
Now, Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri has written a letter of Partnership, offering a strong endorsement of the Academy as well as a $3,000 scholarship to any Young Preacher in the Academy who is admitted to their university.
C. Pat Taylor opened his letter in this way: “I am writing as the President of Southwest Baptist University to give my most enthusiastic endorsement to the Academy of Preachers….Southwest Baptist University is honored to partner with the Academy of Preachers in its vision to equip and support young preachers of the gospel.”
He then lists 6 ways in which they will collaborate with us, including sending an exhibit to the Festival of Young Preachers in January of 2010, encourage their faculty and staff to be involved with the Academy, and offer a $3,000 scholarship to any member of the Academy who is admitted to Southwest Baptist University. They become the second school to offer such a scholarship, following the lead of Georgetown College.
Already one current Southwest student and two recent graduates are registered for the Festival. Southwest comes the eighth school with more than one student or graduate to register for the Festival; others are Asbury Seminary, Fisk University, McAfee School of Theology, Georgetown College, Bethany Theological Seminary, Oakland City University, and Trevecca Nazarene University; we expect more schools to be added to this list.
Praise God for their support of the Academy.