STAND OUT!!!

CALLING ALL YOUTH TO STAND OUT FOR JESUS!! 

Compete for a chance to present at Pursuit 2025 and win a $100 cash prize!

It is our hope to see Gen Z be part of a movement that recognizes God’s good design for life and love. Our Essay Contest will bring the talents and passions of Gen Z to our youth conference this year!

The top three contest winners will be invited to present at the Pursuit Youth Conference, November 15, and claim up to $100 in prizes.  Any other essays published on our website will win $25 each.

WHAT ARE THE RULES?

2025 Contest Rules:

1. Middle and High school students (6-12th grade) are eligible to compete. 
2. Contestants must research and write an original essay addressing one of our four official essay prompts on true love, AI, identity in Christ, or authentic friendships.
3. The essay should be approximately 500-800 words. A contestant will be disqualified if under 400 or over 900.
4. The essays must be submitted by October 15, 2025 on our website below.
5. The essay should use up-to-date, factual information (statistics within the last 5 years).
6. The essay must include Christian application and at least one Bible verse.

2025 ESSAY PROMPTS:

All the essay prompts go along with this year’s conference theme: HOW TO BE AUTHENTIC IN AN ARTIFICIAL WORLD.

1. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE:  How can Christians use AI in a way that honors humanity’s charge to glorify God? 
2. IDENTITY:  In a world of curated online personalities, what does it mean to find your identity in Christ?
3. AUTHENTIC FRIENDSHIP: How can you find authentic friendship in a world of likes and follows?
4. TRUE LOVE: In a pornified culture of artificial intimacy, how can young men and women choose the path of true love?

How is aN ESSAY scored?

Contestants are scored in four areas: content, grammar, persuasion and Biblical application. Contestants are scored by three judges and given a score of 1-10 (10 being the best) in each area. The scores are added together (40 being perfect). The three judges’ scores are added together for the grand total. The judges’ decision is considered final.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

$100 1st Place Prize *

$25 2nd and 3rd Place Prize *

*1st-3rd place winners must be able to present their winning essay at the Pursuit Youth Conference November 9 in order to claim their prize.

Not into public speaking but still want to have a voice? Your essay could still win $25 if we choose to publish it on our website.

PURSUIT Youth 2024 RECAP

---