Kankakee Times

Esther Paek has won this year’s Sylvanus Carter Homiletics Award from the Olivet Nazarene University School of Theology and Christian Ministry (STCM), the school announced recently.

A religious studies and computer science major, Paek earned the award for a sermon titled “Honest Christianity,” which examines the need for honesty and acknowledgement. The Sylvanus Carter Homiletics Award challenges STCM students to research, write and deliver a sermon, with three students earning scholarships. Each year, one of the scholarship recipients is recognized as the winner of the award.

“We are grateful for Dr. Stephen and Donita Carter’s generosity that makes these scholarships possible,” SCTM Professor Jason Roberston, who chairs the selection committee, said. “The process of evaluating the sermons of our students and working with them as they grow as preachers is a highlight of our year.

Olivet Nazarene University School of Theology and Christian Ministry Dean Dr. Mark R. Quanstrom | www.olivet.edu

This year’s award finalists and scholarship recipients were seniors Connor Berg and Brendan Shea. Paek, Berg and Shea were honored during a chapel service, with Paek, a senior from Richmond, Virginia, receiving the award from STCM Dean Mark Quanstrom.

“We couldn’t be more proud of our three recipients this year," Robertson said, according to a press release. "Not only did they write and deliver excellent sermons but each embodies the values the School of Theology and Christian Ministry seeks to foster in our students.”