A New Generation of Champions
A new generation of International Teen Talent champions were crowned before an estimated audience of 4,000 cheering, flag-waving students, pastors, parents, and friends on Friday night, August 4, during the Teen Talent Awards ceremony held on the campus of Lee University.
By David White
Winners and runners-up were honored on the stage with trophies, and select individuals were recipients of a Lee University scholarship. This year Lee University awarded more than $202,000.00 in scholarships. Competitors who finished with honorable mentions in categories from the Art, Creative Writing, Bible, Drama, Music and Multi-media divisions were also celebrated by having their names called and posted on the giant thirty-foot video screen above the stage along with blasting music and state chants.
“The response in 2017 has been overwhelming with a record number of entries from the United States, Canada, Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica, and South Africa. International competition is the stage where preparation, practice, and passion combine with God-given talent to produce a canvas of pure praise back to the Creator. Every student in this competition – not only the winners – are living proof that the Church of God’s future is in talented and gifted hands,” said Dr. David Blair, the International Youth and Discipleship Director. “We are so grateful to every pastor, parent, volunteer, and state/regional/national Youth & Discipleship director who helped students participate and honor God with their talents.
Rob Bailey, International Assistant Director of Youth & Discipleship, coordinated the Multi-media category and the growing “Battle of the States” tournament. Tennessee won the Battle of the States and took home the most first-place trophies with a combined nine individual and team championships. Special appreciation is in order to the Youth & Discipleship coordinators, Tony Lane who headed up the drama division, Randall Parris directed the Art & Creative Writing Divisions, and Mark Swank who anchored the Bible Division. Lee University’s Danny Murray and Mike Hayes rounded out the Teen Talent Strategic Planning Team.
All performance sessions are available as a digital download for only $10.00 per session and official high-resolution pictures can be purchased for only $1.00 per photo at www.cogteentalent.com. To see a full list of winners, runners-up and honorable mentions, visit http://www.cogyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/Teen-Talent-2017-Final-Awards-List.pdf
Teen Talent 2017 is in the books but many of these students will go home and begin to work on their strategy for the 2019 competition. This is why Teen Talent is not just a competition, but a year round ministry.
David White is director of youth and discipleship for California-Nevada
