Are you a first- through sixth-grader who happens to have the greatest dad
in the whole world?
Now is the chance to let others know.
Are you a first- through sixth-grader who happens to have the greatest dad
in the whole world?
Now is the chance to let others know.
Entries now are being accepted from first- through sixth-grade students for
a 2004 Fathers Day Essay Contest, said Loy Seal, Louisiana Baptist Convention
director of men and volunteer ministries.
Sponsored by the conventions men and volunteer ministries department
and the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board, the contest is open to
first through sixth grade boys.
The topic of the essay contest is – “Why My Dad is the Greatest.”
Essays must be received by June 4 and should be mailed to – LBC Men and
Volunteer Ministries Department, P.O. Box 311, Alexandria, LA 71309.
Word length of essays vary, depending on the contestants grade level.
First- through third-graders are limited to 75 words, while fourth- through
sixth-graders are limited to 150 words.
The two first-place winners will have a choice of prizes. The winners will
receive free tuition to either a Royal Ambassador camp in Louisiana or to the
Father-Son Adventure Camp, set for June 25-26 at Tall Timbers Conference Center
in Woodworth. Their essays also will be printed in an issue of the Baptist Message.
The essay contest is part of the “Sons of Virtue” promotion. The
promotion is based on a 49-page book written by Lance Witt, pastor of discipleship
and small groups at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.
The book focuses on mentoring.
“The book allows a father and son to meet for 10 weeks to discuss (10)
specific godly virtues,” Seal said. “It is designed for 45 minute
sessions once a week.”
Each session includes a Bible study, stories and activities that focus on a
virtue, such as loyalty, friendship, responsibility, faith and teamwork. “With
all these virtues, the point is, of course, to point to God, and to seek his
wisdom in applying them to life,” Witt emphasizes in his book.
Seal says that the book provides boys character education.
“Now, as at any time, the investments made in the next generation will
help determine the courses taken and the actions recorded,” Witt adds in
the books introduction. “All cultures need men of character, men
with noble hearts, unafraid to take a stand for the truth.”
The book also contains a CD with messages from Witt and a Fathers Day
sermon from Rick Warren, pastor at Saddleback.