Dr. Marvin Baker, founder of Tweener Ministries, introduced the eleven Tweener Time International Chapter Book winners of 2007 and 2008 and the one Tweener Time Cover Art Competition winner. Winners from Quito, Ecuador and Bandung, Indonesia were able to be with us. Attendees and their parents were from Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Virginia.
Scholarships were presented to the winners by Allen Wagler, Bethel College representative. One and a half years ago we started with the $58,000 in college scholarships for our winners offered by Bethel College. Then Anderson University became involved in the Tweener Time Cover Art Competition. Next year with the additional award from Gaither Studios there will be approximately $175,000 in scholarships and awards committed for winners in the three Tweener Time Competitions: Chapter Book, Cover Art, and Songwriting.
A lunch was provided by Gaither Resources Center and three of the 2007 author whose books are now available had a book signing. Of course, there were shopping opportunities at the picturesque Gaither Center.
During the afternoon there were three WORKshops for wannabe authors led by PeggySue Wells, the author of 10 books and a member of the Tweener Ministries Board. Three workshops for aspiring artists were directed by commercial artist/illustrator, David Slonim, and Paul S. Trittin, artist, vice president of Tweener Ministries, and publisher of Baker Trittin Press. Gloria Gaither conducted three workshops for hopeful songwriters. Dr. Baker presented a workshop for parents, Understanding Your Creative Child.
At the closing general session rules for 2009 were presented to our writers, and a synopsis of the 2008 winning book, Nathan Quist and the Insurmountable Problem, was available for aspiring artists. The mystery of the missing $1,000 Gaither Teen Author cash award was solved. The check was found under a chair in the main studio. Adam Stück from Quito, Ecuador, did receive his award to a thunderous round of applause.
Words cannot adequately express the feelings Paul Trittin and I share as the entire Gaither staff made each one of our guests feel ABSOLUTELY welcome. The staff were always there making certain we had everything we needed, encouraging us to eat more food for lunch, or just seeing that everyone had enough note or drawing paper. The Gaither Homecoming programs on PBS are great, but they cannot compare with our own feelings of homecoming as the Gaither’s opened their arms to each of us.
Thank you Gloria, Bill, and the Gaither Resources Center staff !
For Christ’s kids and Tweener Ministries,
Marvin G. Baker, president
