What would YOU do to stir up zeal and a sense of urgency in the Church?

We have just launched an essay contest for the youths in the Church and will begin taking submissions beginning October 1 on the question cited above. The purpose of this contest is get as many of us—adults and youths alike—pondering, discussing, and acting on the question posed during the May 14 sermon by our President, Mr. Clyde Kilough.

With worsening world conditions including terrorism, spiraling oil prices, and super disasters (the Asian Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina), events are leading up inevitably to the grand climax of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. We in the Church must not allow ourselves to grow weary and spiritually complacent in these last days.

Mr. Kilough, in his address before the Council of Elders, outlined how the Church’s leadership and ministry need to stir up the membership and those associated with United with increased focus and zeal. He cited 2 Timothy 1:6 and reminded those present that “zeal is a spiritual issue.” He spoke of deepening our sense of being an integral part of the work of the Church of God.

Should you choose to participate, your essay must explain, in 1,500 words or less, what you would do to instill a deeper passion and zeal in the Church. It is hoped that this will deliver a powerful message about the need to awaken zeal and a sense of urgency—and spark a renewed appreciation of its importance throughout the entire Church. Essays must be formatted on Microsoft Word and submitted via e-mail to contest@ucg.org.ph.

Your essay must be your own original work. You must include a cover page with your essay title, name, church area, phone number, and e-mail address. But except for the essay title, the essay itself must not contain your name or any reference that might reveal your identity to the judges. Entries for the essay contest will be accepted from October 1 through midnight on December 31, 2005. Late entries will not be accepted. Entrants must be 13 to 19 years of age by the start of the contest on October 1, 2005.

The winning entry will receive the Gold Level Award of P 5,000 in cash; the Silver Level Award will receive P 3,000; and the Bronze Level Award will receive P 2,000. A panel of judges composed of the Philippine National Council (including Mr. Baker and all the Philippine ministers) will select the prize-winning entries. Those related to the judges by affinity or consanguinity are not eligible to participate.

The winning essays will be published in the January-February 2006 issue of the UNP and online at www.ucg.org.ph/youth/contest.

This contest is being managed by the staff of the United News Philippines and the elders of the United Church of God, AIA-Pilipinas. For more details, please visit our contest web page at www.ucg.org.ph/youth/contest.