Two thousand people attended a conference last week in Dallas; its purpose parallels the mission of our own Festival of Young Preachers, scheduled for January 7-9, 2010, in Louisville, Kentucky.
They called it LeadNow, and the news article I read (linked here) states the organizers and speakers had three goals in mind: create among young adults a culture of service, mobilize small groups of young adults to action, and connect young adults to those in need. Their target group? Young adults between the ages of 20 and 30; their focus? training them “to use their skills, passions, and desires to make a difference in the world.”
Why was there no focus on young people preaching? Have they no confidence in the power of the spoken word when it comes from the soul and lips of a young adult?
Perhaps it was because preachers make up such a small percentage of those who want to serve Christ in the world; and this is true. But that is not keeping us–the Academy of Preachers and our 31 Founding Partners–from calling from all corners of the country those whom God has prepared to preach the gospel of Jesus.
Preaching is just one way that young adults can make a difference in the world, but it is one way, an important way, a way desperately in need of promotion among the twenty-something generation. Which is why we are doing what we are doing: identifying, networking, supporting, and inspiring young adults to whom God has given the gifts and callings of the gospel preacher.
It will be a tremendous three days in the River City as 96 young preachers (with a few more waiting in the wings, ready at a moment’s notice to take a stand and preach a sermon) coming with minds, hears, and bodies prepared to preach what God has laid upon their heart.
All of these preaching sessions–all 96 sermons scheduled in 4 venues over the 3 day period–are free and open to the public. We hope everyone during those three days will also be open to the holy spirit of God.