NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–A busy calendar keeps Richard Land on the road much of the year. On most Sundays and many weekday nights, the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is speaking in a Southern Baptist church somewhere across the country.
Land’s travels give him the opportunity to see the best of the United States from coast to coast, and he’s inviting professional and amateur photographers to use their cameras to convey America’s greatness in a contest sponsored by the ERLC.
“Americans are known for their ingenuity and their God-given creativity,” Land said. “I admire those individuals who can capture the beauty of our country, the blessings of our families and the wonder of our faith on film. While the mainstream media focuses on the negative, I believe the fruits of this contest will counter those scenes with uplifting, positive images reflecting the beauty of God’s creation and the hope that is in Christ Jesus.”
Land admitted a photography contest might be an unusual endeavor for a ministry focused on moral and ethical issues and public policy. “The old maxim is true — a picture is worth a thousand words,” he said, noting the contest’s theme — “Faith, Family & Freedom” — reflects the heart of the ERLC’s ministry.
“It is our hope that through the photographs received in this contest we will be reminded of the psalmist’s words, ‘When I observe Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place, what is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him?’” Land said, quoting Psalm 8:3-4.
The winning photographs will be displayed in the ERLC’s exhibit area at the SBC’s June 13-14 annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C., and at the ERLC’s website.
While both professional and amateur photographers are eligible to have their work displayed at the convention, only amateurs are eligible to win a prize.
The grand-prize-winning amateur photographer will be able to choose between an Apple iMac and a Canon EOS SLR digital camera. Other prizes include a Canon Digital Rebel XT camera, a Mac mini computer, Aperture photography software and a 1 gig iPod Nano.
Individuals must indicate their interest in the contest by pre-registering via e-mail by April 7. Contest entries must be submitted by mail to the ERLC by May 15. Winners will be announced June 1. All contest information, including technical specifications, is available online at faithandfamily.com.
“God has blessed America richly,” Land noted. “I am confident that visitors to the ERLC booth will see and be blessed by the glory of her freedoms, the grandeur of her landscape and the faith of her citizens reflected in these photos.”
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