Nominations open for 2013 Denman Evangelism Awards
3/4/2013
By GLENN HANNIGAN
Do you know someone in the North Georgia Conference who has a particular passion or special gift for evangelism? Nominations are being accepted for the Harry Denman Evangelism Awards, which seek to recognize one youth, one lay person and one clergy person from the conference each year.
The Harry Denman Evangelism Awards honor people whose lives exemplify the teaching of Christ and the Great Commission. Denman, founder of The Foundation for Evangelism, played a special role in the life of Billy Graham, who called Denman “my mentor in evangelism.” Dr. Eddie Fox, who as a young minister met Denman, called him, “the greatest lay evangelist of the 20th century.”
Denman, born in Birmingham, Ala., in 1893, was well known for his simple, non-materialist lifestyle. He shunned wearing a watch, which gave him the opportunity to start many conversations by simply asking for the time. He died in1976 at age 83.
Nomination forms can be found on the conference website at www.ngumc.org/pages/detail/2162, as well as a brochure. Completed forms can be submitted to Chris Branscomb by email at chris.branscomb@ngumc.net. The deadline for applications is March 22.
“This is a very significant honor in the life of the church,” said Branscomb, pastor of Bethel UMC in Hiram. “The winners of this award are individuals we recognize for touching lives and changing lives. They serve as models for the rest of us in our call to reach out into our community, state, nation and world.”
Branscomb encourages people to provide as much information as possible when making a nomination. And while relevant details can make a difference, Branscomb emphasizes that many other factors do not matter when considering nominees, such as: the size of their local church, their age, gender or the length of service.
“What was most impressive among our nominees last year were the people who were involved in multiple aspects of evangelism, working within the church, in the surrounding community and even across the world.”
Last year’s winners of the Denman Evangelism Award in the conference were:
Youth: Kayla Ingle of Center Valley UMC; Lay: Dallas and Teilynn Ivey of University Heights UMC;Clergy: Rev. Dr. John Beyers, senior pastor of Conyers UMC.
For more information contact Chris Branscomb by email: chris.branscomb@ngumc.net, or phone: 770-943-2532.