The Academy of Preachers is pleased to introduce the 2012 Gospel Catalyst Network. Comprised of six Young Preachers representing eleven states and nine Christian traditions (the math works when you total up where they come from and where they are!), the Gospel Catalyst Network stands ready to help you spread the Word, host a Festival of Young Preachers or offer some great preaching tips. Lead Gospel Catalyst Wyndee Holbrook can help your organization connect with these outstanding Young Preachers. To find out how, email aopcatalyst@gmail.com.

Meet the Gospel Catalyst Network:

Rachel Brocker, AoP ’12

“I firmly believe in the mission of the Academy of Preachers, because I experienced firsthand the inspiration that comes from hearing young preachers proclaiming the gospel at an AoP event. The inter-denominational nature of AoP is another aspect of the organization about which I’m passionate. The work of AoP is critical in a time when the Christian Church in the United States is fractured. Uniting young preachers, future leaders of the church, under the gospel, is a powerful step toward healing that fracture. It would be a privilege for me to work with AoP in this important work.”

(Rachel is a student at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Chicago, Ill.)

Larry Terrell Crudup, AoP ’10

“First and foremost I believe in the message and ministry of this organization. I have been with this group from the beginning and I am encouraged by it’s vision. I love preaching and believe that new vigor must be added to the pulpit as we address the issues of the world. Finally I believe this will also add to a strong resume in the areas of leadership, preaching, and extraordinary organizations.”

(Larry is a student at the Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Tx.)

Brandon Perkins, AoP ’10

“The AoP is still in its infancy, yet it continues to grow at a rate that merits we become very proactive in expanding our network. This network must be expanded by using passionate people who possess the ability to navigate through different racial and denominational circles with ease and wit. This network also needs persons who possess a knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the Academy so that they may accurately recruit and promote for this meaningful organization. Lastly, this network requires people who are ever mindful of the AoP and its vision to inspire young preachers. It requires people who have a passion to see young men and women mature and grow in the Christian faith and the preaching ministry. For three years I have fulfilled these needs and still endeavor to do so for the AoP, so that we may grow from our infancy into adulthood.”

(Brandon is a Master of Arts in Teaching Candidate at Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, Tenn.)

Aaron Carr, AoP ’12

“I applied to be part of the Gospel Catalyst Network cecause I firmly believe that the AoP is going to change the face of the Christian church in America in the next few decades, and I want to be a part of that. I want to equip young preachers to be the best that they can be. I want to introduce them to each other so that they challenge each other. And I want to put them in a deeply ecumenical environment so that they can begin to heal the left-right divide that dominates our churches today.”

(Aaron Carr is a student at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala.)

Dominique Robinson, AoP ’11

“Having served with the Young Preachers Leadership Team, my personal main foci for AoP have been in the areas of advertising and recruiting. I look forward to becoming a mentor and/or coach for future events as I love the art of preaching and would love to function in a capacity that aids others to discover their love as well. I truly believe in the efforts of AoP and I embody that fervor to see AoP be successful.”

(Dominique is an Alumnae of the Candler School of Theology and staff member Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Ga.)

Kadri Webb, AoP ’12

“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. 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. This is not a well-known opportunity where I live in the greater Baltimore/DC metropolitan area, so serving as a Gospel Catalyst will open doors for me to share this with those I know, particularly in the African American community. Additionally, I believe that the AoP addresses an area of passion for me. Preaching excites me! Sermonic construction, illustrations, exegetical methods, and preaching in general all ignite in me a fire that I hope will only grow brighter in the years to come. It is my hope that other holy trumpeteers will find this same passion. This is critical in an age where the art of preaching is being lost and style now precedes substance.”

(Kadri is a student at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, commuting from Baltimore, Md.)