Competition Process

Registration

All registrations are due on Wednesday, December 15, 2025.

Register now

Sermon preparation

Once you register, you will be emailed videos that will help you in biblical hermeneutics, apologetics in preaching, and speaking in culturally sensitive ways. While this is optional, we encourage you to use these faculty-given resources to help equip you in your sermon preparation.

Submit your sermon

Record and submit a link to your sermon by Friday, January 23, 2025. Read instructions on submitting your sermon outline and video. Sermons should address the theme listed on the Omark homepage and should not exceed 20 minutes.

Round one

Students will submit video sermons and corresponding outlines based on this year's theme. Sermons are judged by a panel of local, experienced preaching pastors to select the top three finalists and an honorable mention.

Round two

The four preaching finalists will advance to the final round. They must update their original sermon and re-record it based on judges' comments from round one. All four finalists will receive detailed, separate instructions on how to submit their final sermons.

Guidelines

Sermon updates and re-recording

Finalists must revise their original sermon using feedback from round one judges. The updated sermon must then be re-recorded according to the final round criteria provided.

Live audience delivery

Final sermons must be delivered in front of a live audience of at least five people. Acceptable audience settings include:

• Friends and family in a home setting
• A congregation in a ministry setting

Recordings must clearly show the presence of a live audience. Judges must be able to see that attendees are physically present and engaged during the sermon.

Audio quality requirements

While video clarity is important, high-quality audio is the top priority. Finalists may use smartphones or similar recording devices as long as the audio is clear and reliable.

Questions?

Email seminary@bethel.edu.