During the last week 3 new Founding Partners have helped push the network if the Academy of Preachers to a national audience.
From Birmingham, Atlanta, and Boston we welcome 3 new organizations that wish to join us in our mission to “identify, network, inspire and support young people who aspire to vocations as gospel preachers.”
First, from Atlanta: The Fund for Theological Education provides programs and financing for young people pursuing ministry and theological education. It is largely funded by the Lilly Endowment of Indianapolis, as is the Academy of Preachers. Fund president Trace Haythorn wrote in his letter: “We see a great deal of synchronicity in our work and hope to work with you as we strive to identify the next generation of leaders for the church and theological education.”
From Birmingham, Alabama comes a letter of endorsement from Passport Camps, Inc. This relatively new organization runs summer camps for children and young people all over the country. They have a need for young preachers every year for their camps. Founders David and Coleen Burroughs are long time friends of mine.
Finally, I was in Orlando, Florida with the Board of the Lord’s Day Alliance when they voted unanimously to endorse the Academy and to provide significant funding for the 2011 National Festival of Young Preachers. Their interests in the 4th commandment (“Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.”) is one of the preaching texts for the National Festival, scheduled for January 6-8, 2011, in Louisville, Kentucky. The administrative center for this century old Alliance is in Boston, in conjunction with the Boston Theological Institute.
This brings our list of Founding Partners to 44. Our goal is 50 before March 15. Elsewhere on this web site is more information about how to BE A PARTNER. Included there is a list of all of our partners.