The 2009 Jerry B. Jenkins Writer Awards were presented on Wednesday, February 4, at Moody Bible Institute’s Founder’s Week conference. Five students were honored for their outstanding non-fiction essays regarding personal beliefs that changed significantly.

First place went to Michael Reed, junior Pastoral Studies major, for his essay "The Significance of Jim." Tyler Thompson, senior Bible Languages major, won second place for his piece "Every Other Scene Below." Third place was awarded to Donna Mohamed, sophomore Communications/Print Media major, for her essay "Washed by the Water." There were also two runners-up in the competition: Sarah Kidd, senior TESOL/International Ministries major, "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back" and Zach Byington, junior Communications/Print Media major, "Charcoal Scrawl." 

The contest was created in 1999 to honor Jerry Jenkins’ legacy at Moody. He has served as an editor with MOODY Magazine, vice president for Moody’s publishing division and writer-at-large for the Institute. Jenkins currently serves as the chairman of the Board of Trustees.

“God has given our Moody students a vast array of talents, one of which is the stunning use of language.  This year we had 61 entrants, and the top five, whom we honored today, truly deserve to win for their way with words,” says Karyn Hecht, advising faculty member for the contest and professor of Communications at Moody.