VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 12/3/13)—Judson Press is pleased to announce the winners of the “Who in the Bible is Most Like Me and Why?” national essay contest. The contest garnered entrants from ages 13 through 18 whose essays were judged by Romal Tune, author of God’s Graffiti: Inspiring Stories for Teens and the American Baptist Home Mission Societies Board-of-Directors.
“This contest offered a unique opportunity for Judson Press to minister to youth through its resource and invest in their future by providing scholarships,” said Linda Johnson-LeBlanc, Judson Press marketing director.
Participants were part of a national contest in which Judson Press reached out to American Baptist and select churches to encourage students to write about which bible character is most like them.
Tune also expressed his excitement, “I want thank all of the teens who joined us in the God’s Graffiti Essay Content. They did a great job! Each one of them is a winner and should be proud. All of them are on the right path to do great things for God and great things for the people in their community.”
Congratulations to the national winners:
First Place
• Zion Small, Phoenixville Area Middle School, Age 13, Phoenixville, PA
Second Place
•Brooke Estep, Cabell Midland High School, Age 17, Barboursville, WV
Runners-up
• Kimberlyn Ellis, Methacton High School, Age 16, Audubon, PA
• Olivia Tawi, Richland Community College, Age 18, Dallas, TX
Honorable Mention
• Allyn Griffith, Marion Center Area Junior/Senior High School, Age 15, Home, PA
• Kaitlyn Thompson, Mitchell High School, Age 16, Mitchell, IN
The First Place winner receives $300 and the winning essay will be featured on www.judsonpress.com. The Second Place winner receives $200, runners-up are awarded $50 and honorable mentions receive $25 Judson Press gift certificates.
All award winners will receive a copy of the book God’s Graffiti: Inspiring Stories for Teens and a photo featured on www.judsonpress.com and www.romaltune.com.
An inspired road map for teens, God’s Graffiti tells the stories of at-risk youth in the bible who overcome obstacles to become great leaders. Romal Tune also shares his own story of overcoming the barriers of growing up in a challenging environment. The book navigates a path forward for teenagers who need guidance during a crucial time in their development.
The retail price for God’s Graffiti is $13.99. Purchases can be made online at www.judsonpress.com or by contacting Judson Press customer service at 800-458-3766.
Founded in 1824, Judson Press is a publishing ministry of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist Churches USA. It is committed to producing Christ-centered leadership resources for the transformation of individuals, congregations, communities, and cultures.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.