Teen Talent Set for August 3-7 at Lee University
For the third time, Church of God Teen Talent will be conducted on the campus of Lee University where thousands of teens, their youth leaders, and parents will converge to celebrate God’s gifts to young people.
“Church of God students are some of the most talented individuals on the planet, stated David Blair, international assistant director of youth and discipleship. “Youth today have an extraordinary capacity to learn, to develop skills, and to display leadership. Realizing this, the Church of God continues to challenge them to reach their greatest potential through Teen Talent for ministry effectiveness and Kingdom work. Our theme continues to Our Best His Glory.”
The Teen Talent program has a rich history of identifying and raising up talented young people In the Church of God. Conducted every two years, the event was shifted away from being held during the biennial General Assembly and has been hosted at Lee University since 2011. The change has allowed a more versatile venue for the event, including multiple performance stages across campus for the practice and preliminary rounds, as well as less expensive housing for the competitors and their chaperones who utilize Lee’s modern housing facilities and dining options. The Lee University capacity has been reached this year by the largest Teen Talent registration in recent history.
While the traditional divisions of competition Art, Bible, Creative Writing, Drama, Music and Multi-Media continue a new Battle of the States event began two years ago in a “Survivor” style, non-adjudicated format that was a tremendous hit with the students and leaders. The first ever “Teen Talent Spirit Award” was presented last competition to the state/region exhibiting the best overall spirit during the week of competition.
Gary Lewis, international director of youth and discipleship said, “For the past several months, regional/state and national competition has taken place leading up to the week of activities and competition in August. “The success of the Teen Talent Ministry is due not only to the students, leaders and parents, but to our dedicated state / regional / national directors who facilitate the program building up to the international competition.”
A special website (www.TTalent15.com) is currently being developed that will be the portal for all Teen Talent information such as schedule updates, live streaming of all performance venues, Teen Talent Store, photos, social media, DVD / Digital download sales, campus maps. There is also a site for T-shirt purchases, www.teentalentshirts.com. It is hoped that thousands of parents, grandparents and friends will be able to join via live stream. All of this information is also available on the Youth & Discipleship APP on Apple or Android.
Current details leading up to the week of Teen Talent can be accessed at www.cogyouth.org and clicking on the Teen Talent graphic.
