The office of Stewardship Ministries announced the 2014-2015 winners of the Stewardship Sermon Scholarship, given to students whose sermons are judged most effective in exploring biblical stewardship in the contemporary context of the local Nazarene church. This year, three winners were chosen: Andra Kee, Phillip Antilla, and David Filsinger, all from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City. Each will receive a $1,000 scholarship toward his or her continued pastoral development.

Stewardship Ministries has sponsored this scholarship since 2008, when a legacy gift first made the program possible. Funds are awarded annually to up to five pastoral ministry students enrolled in either a religion or Christian education program at a USA or Canada Nazarene institution of higher education.

“The scholarship program shows our Nazarene students how to preach and teach about stewardship," said Mark Lail, Stewardship Ministries director. "Knowing how to talk about money and God’s thoughts on it is an essential skill for any pastor.” 

This year’s scripture assignment was 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, a passage that discusses the idea of being generous, even during trials. Applicants for the scholarship were challenged to explore holiness in tithing and living generously, while addressing money as it relates to funding the mission of the Church of the Nazarene: “To make Christlike disciples in the nations.”

Stewardship Ministries congratulates the winners on their excellent work. Their sermons will be posted to the Stewardship website as a free resource.

For information about the upcoming 2015-2016 Stewardship Sermon Scholarship competition, contact Stewardship Ministries at stewardship@nazarene.org. Information will also be released on the Stewardship Sermon Scholarship Web page in June.

--Stewardship Ministries