Theology students of Campbellsville University participate in the Festival of Young Preachers in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 7-9. From left are: Dr. Skip Alexander, associate instructor of spiritual formation , Dr. John Hurtgen, Campbellsville’s dean of the School of Theology, Andre Morton of Vine Grove, Ky., Micah Spicer of Wingo, Ky., Sean Stengl of La Grange, Ky., Josh Hardesty of Owensboro, Ky., Willis Deitz of Campbellsville, Ky., Dr. Scott Wigginton, associate professor of pastoral ministries and counseling, and Dr. Dwight Moody, founder and executive director of the Academy of Preachers.
Feb. 15, 2010
For Immediate Release
CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY HAS LARGEST NUMBER OF STUDENTS AT YOUNG PREACHERS EVENT
By Skye Gardner, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University students are continuing to gain servant leadership experience through a variety events and activities, and five students from the Campbellsville University School ofTheology recently attended three days of the Festival of Young Preachers in Louisville, Ky.
Campbellsville students not only attended the event, but also raised the bar by bringing the largest group. According to Dr. Dwight A. Moody, founder and executive directorof the Academy of Preachers, Campbellsville University had the largest number of students participating in the event from any institution in the country.
Willis Deitz, Sean Stengl, Micah Spicer, Andre Morton and Josh Hardesty were theparticipating students from Campbellsville University.
Dr. Scott Wigginton, associate professor of pastoral ministries and counseling, as well as Dr. John Hurtgen, Campbellsville’s dean of the School of Theology, also accompanied the group to the event.
At the festival, nearly 100 young preachers, ranging from ages 16 to 28, were encouraged to share their passion for the ministry by preaching before their peers and a more experienced group of professors and ministers.
Each student was placed into a group of 12 preachers referred to as the “Preaching Circle,” led by a facilitator. Here, the participants were able to share their feelings with their individual groups.
The students were given a 20 to 25 minute window to speak in front of the group as a whole and were then critiqued by their individual groups. “It’s very cordial, very low-key and very constructive criticism,” said Willis Deitz. “It’s like iron sharpening iron. It’s a very good opportunity to learn.”
The Baptist affiliated students also got a chance to hear speakers from a variety of different religious backgrounds including Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Methodist, Presbyterian and many others. “It was great. Different denominations but like-minded intheir understanding of the Bible,” said Deitz.
The event served as a learning tool for the students and gave them real-life experience in their field and a new passion for preaching the Word.
The faculty at Campbellsville University is very proud of their students’ accomplishments. “They love to preach and appreciate the opportunities,” said Wigginton. “As a university, they represent us so well.”
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2010 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in the south. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.
-30-