Network will further mission to Identify, Network, Support & Inspire young preachers

Louisville, Ky. (February 21, 2012)—The Academy of Preachers (AoP) has named six Young Preachers to its 2012 Gospel Catalyst Network. The Network was established to support the AoP’s mission to Identify, Network, Support and Inspire young people in their call to Gospel preaching. It is comprised of rising, motivated leaders who have preached at the Academy’s National Festival of Young Preachers. The six Gospel Catalysts will connect their varied personal, educational, and professional networks with the work and opportunities of the AoP and provide support for AoP events such as Regional and Campus Festivals.

The term “Gospel Catalyst” was coined by Academy of Preachers Founder and President, Dwight A. Moody.  “It captures the essence of the Academy of Preachers and our desire to fan the Gospel flame among a new generation of Young Preachers,” Moody affirmed.  “The Gospel Catalyst Network will allow some of our brightest young people to expand our work among a broader network. We are excited about the opportunities they represent.”

Wyndee Holbrook, Lead Gospel Catalyst for the Academy of Preachers, joined the Academy of Preachers in 2011 and will oversee the work of the Gospel Catalyst Network.

“A long-term pastor and mentor once told me, ‘Your job in ministry is to give your job away. Constantly be about the business of making ministers of those around you,’” Holbrook said. “In this case, we are substituting ‘Catalysts” for ‘ministers,’ and we are working to further the Gospel by inspiring and connecting a new generation of young preachers.”

The 2012 members of the Gospel Catalyst network are  Rachel Brocker, AoP ’12, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; Larry Terrell Cruddup, AoP ’10, Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Tx.; Brandon Perkins, AoP ’10, Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, Tenn.; Aaron Carr, AoP ’12, Samford University, Birmingham Ala.; Dominique Robinson, AoP ’11, Alumnae of the Candler School of Theology and staff at Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta; and Kadri Webb, AoP ’12, Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia.

“Serving as a Gospel Catalyst will provide me with the privilege of offering leadership to many young people, as well as the opportunity to support a noble cause,” said Webb. “One of the loudest complaints of the up-and-coming generation of preachers is that there is a lack of connection between us and those who have gone before us. While some of these circumstances are beyond our control, I believe that the positive must be highlighted and embraced. The Academy of Preachers is one such program that is worthy of being accentuated in the preaching community.”

Rachel Brocker’s first experience with the Academy of Preachers came during an AoP Preaching Camp in the summer of 2011, where she was immediately captivated by the work of the organization.

“I experienced firsthand the inspiration that comes from hearing young preachers proclaiming the gospel at an AoP event,” she said. “The work of AoP is critical in a time when the Christian Church in the United States is fractured. Uniting young preachers and future leaders of the church under the Gospel is a powerful step toward healing that fracture.”

To learn more about the Gospel Catalyst Network, visit the Academy of Preachers online at www.AcademyofPreachers.net. To learn how your organization or institution can connect with the Gospel Catalyst Network, email aopcatalyst@gmail.com.
 

Contact

Charissa Acree
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