Sample letter to pastors for local oratory contest

Below is a sample letter you can write to pastors in your affiliate area to promote your local contest. Simply cut and paste this text into your word processor. Please feel free to edit this as you see fit:

(Date)

Dear Pastor,

As the year 2008 draws to a close we have plenty to be thankful for: our faith, our families, our homes and our church all reveal God's blessings. However, many would challenge the things we hold dear.

The question is posed to each of us: how do we counter today's assault upon the sacredness of human life? We at (affiliate name) believe that one important solution lies in educating our youth. As pastor, you know a well-taught lesson can change lives. Our young people must hear the truth in order to make informed and life-affirming decisions about key pro life issues such as abortion, assisted suicide, cloning and stem cell research.

To that end, (affiliate name) is sponsoring an oratory contest for high school students this year. Our request is that you not only promote this event among youth but also encourage your congregation to attend. Young people need to know that adults support their efforts to speak out for what is right. We are relying on these teens to be our future leaders!

Finally, I ask your prayers for this event, planned for (date, time, location). May God bless you and your congregation and all your efforts to protect the gift of life He has entrusted to us.

Sincerely,

(Name of local coordinator)
(Affiliate name and phone number)

Oratory Contest Hall of Fame

Results and winner speech

Past state and national winners

Oratory homepage

2010 Contest Rules and Forms for Affiliates:

Oratory contest instructions and frequently asked questions - PDF
Affiliate contest sponsorship form - PDF
Student application form - PDF
Sample judge ballot - PDF
Promotional flier - PDF
Sample promotional letter to teachers (HTML)
Sample promotional letter to pastors
(HTML)