In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul writes to his Christian brother Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”  On July 15, 2013 at New Dimension Church, 11 young individuals, between the ages of 11 and 18, took this passage to heart and applied it to their lives in the business world.  The students were split into two teams and participated in New Dimension Church’s first ever Biblical Apprentice competition, where they were provided with basic instruction on how to bring their own business ideas to life, while adhering to biblical standards.

Each of the 11 students was taught a number of business techniques and skills, ranging from how to create a business plan to determining the type of financing, advertising, marketing, and more needed for such a plan to succeed.  All along, they were reminded of God’s sovereignty and authority in their personal lives as well as in their business professions and were provided with basic, practical ways of displaying such godly dedication in their businesses.

In addition to providing the students with an opportunity to learn a variety of skills that would help them in the business world, they were also given the chance to present what they had learned.  With the help of the course instructor, Pastor Randy Wilburn, as well as several adult coaches, the students concluded the course by developing unique business plans that reflected their business ambitions.  They then presented their final, organized business plans to a panel of three judges, including one Biblical Entrepreneurship graduate and three small, Christian-based business owners, for the opportunity to win cash prizes.

Following the event, Pastor Wilburn proudly reported that the students “were engaged 100% of the time.”  After the winner was announced, the coaches were quick to follow up with the students, providing them with more guidance and insight to continue to help them bring those ideas to life.  Wilburn says that he was “extremely pleased” with the overall outcome of the event, and he has high hopes for it next year as well.

By Katelyn Larson