The final chapter of John Stott’s classic text, Between Two Worlds, is devoted to two personal characteristics which he judged to be essential to the task of Christian preaching: courage and humility.

It is through the balance of these two traits that Christian preachers can faithfully execute their stewardship as ministers of the Gospel. He writes, “The Christian preacher is to be neither a speculator who invents new doctrines which please him, nor an editor who excises old doctrines which displease him, but a steward, God’s steward, dispensing faithfully to God’s household the truths committed to him in the Scriptures, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.” (p. 323–4)

The Christian preacher is to be neither a speculator, nor an editor, but a steward, God’s steward.

In continuity with this vision of the task of Christian preaching, the Creation Project’s John Stott Award for Pastoral Engagement was created to support pastors and congregations who are willing to venture into the intersection of science and theology with confidence in the truthfulness of Scripture and in open and earnest dialogue with the insights of modern science. Through the provision of financial resources and year-long institutional support, the Stott Award is designed to promote pastoral and ecclesial engagement with the doctrine of creation through various programs and initiatives, including the formation of a congregational focus group, a mid-term consultation with the Creation Project Fellows held on Trinity’s campus, and the development of a sermon series on the doctrine of creation in conjunction with a church-wide educational initiative.

The Henry Center is pleased to announce the 2016–2017 recipients of the Creation Project’s John Stott Award for Pastoral Engagement.

2016–2017 Recipients

Founded in 1915, Calvary Memorial Church is a diverse interdenominational evangelical church located in Oak Park, IL. Todd Wilson received his PhD in New Testament from Cambridge University, and has pastored Calvary Memorial since 2007. Along with associate pastor Gerald Hiestand, Wilson founded the Center for Pastor Theologians in 2006.

Holy Trinity Church is a non-denominational church in the Reformed tradition, founded in 1998 and located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. Bing Nieh is a PhD student in Intercultural Studies at TEDS, and a licensed minister with the Evangelical Free Church of America. Bing serves as Associate Pastor of University and Missional Ministries at HTC Hyde Park.

Founded in 1734, St John’s Parish is a church in the Anglican tradition within the Diocese of South Carolina. Father Snyder received his PhD in geochemistry from the Colorado School of Mines, and served as Research Professor of Planetary Geology and Geochemistry at the University of Tennessee prior to his call to the pastorate. He received his MDiv from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in 2002, and as served as rector of St. John’s since 2005.

Green Valley Church is an Evangelical Free Church located in San Diego California established in 1984. Doug Kyle received his DMin from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and is a licensed minister with the Evangelical Free Church of America. He has pastored Green Valley Church since 1994.

Lake Avenue Church is a nondenominational church founded in 1895, and located in Pasadena CA. Greg Waybright received his PhD in New Testament Theology from Marquette University, and has served as senior pastor of Lake Avenue Church since 2007. Matt Barnes is a PhD Candidate in New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary, and serves as ministry curriculum coordinator at Lake Avenue.

Grace Valley Fellowship is a nondenominational church located in Phoenixville PA, just outside of Philadelphia. Paul Anderson received his ThM form Dallas Theological Seminary, and has served as lead pastor at Grace Valley Fellowship since 2010.

Timothy Series & The Stott Award

Throughout the course of the Creation Project, the Henry Center is combining the Timothy Series with the Stott Award. This means that each of the six pastoral award recipients will come to campus during the 2016–17 academic year to deliver a chapel message and to engage the student body in discussion over a free luncheon, talking about the doctrine of creation, the pastoral judgment needed for navigating controversial, yet important topics, and other aspects of pastoral life. This year’s Timothy Series events are:

February 14–16: Humanity: The Image & Likeness of God
Todd Wilson, Greg Snyder, & Bing Nieh

April 4–6: Paradise: Created, Lost, and Regained
Doug Kyle, Paul Anderson, and Greg Waybright