The Moody Bible Institute Music Department sponsored a student theme song contest for Founder’s Week 2010, and the winning entries will be used for congregational singing during the conference. All full-time graduate and undergraduate students from the Chicago campus were asked to use their gifts of poetry and music to develop a song, either contemporary or traditional in style, that supported this year’s Founder’s Week theme of “Seeking God’s Heart.”

Of the entries that were submitted, two students were selected by a panel of music, communications and theology faculty as winners for their lyrical strength, musical integrity, singability and reflection of the conference theme. JoAnna Burgess, a sophomore music major, won for her song titled “For I Know the Plans That I Have for You.” This song is a quiet, intimate worship chorus that allows singers to reflect on their relationships with God. Peter Vanderwaal, a junior music major, won for “Seek the Lord You Saints Adore Him,” a majestic, doxological hymn in classic style.

“The goal of this contest was to make a connection between the current student body and the conference,” said Dr. Cynthia Uitermarkt, Chair of Moody’s Music Department. “We have students with profound musical and lyrical gifts, and we wanted to channel those gifts into the conference this year. Both JoAnna and Peter submitted pieces that effectively and beautifully spoke to the Founder’s Week theme in different and very creative ways.”

The winning entries will be heard live at Founder’s Week in addition to being featured on the radio and online. The Music Department plans to host similar contests in future years. For more information on Founder’s Week please visit www.foundersweek.org.