Beginning today, the Academy of Preachers officially has a new address: 500 North Watterson Trail, Louisville, Kentucky, 40243.
Write us a letter: offer congratulations, make a contribution, send the name of a young preacher, volunteer to help with the Festival of Young Preachers, write a prayer.
Our address is also the address of Middletown Christian Church, our new sponsoring partner. The church has given us prime space on their campus: a splendid room with glass wall facing the administrative offices and an opposite glass wall looking out over the almost-enclosed mall of grass. It is perfect in all respects.
The phone number is 502-245-9793, extension 123. Call it today and ask for the Executive Director. His name is Lee Huckleberry. Yes, yesterday was Lee’s last day as Senior Consultant. For two years he has been working hard developing and serving the Academy for a small monthly stipend. Today he begins his career as the second employee of the Academy. He will manage the office, oversee the finances, handle all correspondence, and plan meetings and events.
Which means that I must take a new title…..President. This title corresponds to my more focused role: writing and speaking on behalf of young preachers; developing partnerships with businesses, congregations, denominations, organizations, and institutions; meeting with donors: individuals, corporations, and foundations; and envisioning what the future of the Academy of Preachers might look like.
In the coming months, the Academy of Preachers will incorporate, write by-laws, recruit a national board of directors, file for non-profit, tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service, and launch our own endowment.
The future is promising for the Academy of Preachers. Today is a giant step forward into that future. We thank you and we give glory to God.
And did I say: today is also the second birthday of my one and only grandchild, Sam (new picture up on my Facebook page) and also the 38th anniversary of my marriage to Jan (on a beautiful Saturday morning in the courtyard of Mt. Horeb Presbyterian Church on Iron Works Pike, with service performed by Rev. Walter Price). It is a very good day, indeed.