RICK WARREN, AUTHOR OF “THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE,”
JOINS LIST OF DISTINGUISHED JUDGES FOR
THE POWER OF PURPOSE AWARDS: A WORLDWIDE ESSAY COMPETITION

Atlanta, GA – January 19, 2004 - The Power of Purpose Awards: A Worldwide Essay Competition is pleased to announce that pastor and author Rick Warren has joined its list of judges. This international writing contest, which hopes to encourage people to think about the purpose in their lives, is being conducted entirely on the internet at www.powerofpurpose.org.

Warren’s inspiring and phenomenal book “The Purpose Driven Life” has sold 13 million copies. He is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, one of America’s largest and best-known churches.

The distinguished panel of judges also includes Nancy Brinker, Founder, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; Paul Davies, Professor of Natural Philosophy, Australian Centre for Astrobiology; Hugh Delehanty, Editor in Chief, AARP Publications; and Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children’s Defense Fund.

Purpose may be defined as something more important than our simple survival, something not merely intellectual, but in our souls. It is something outside of ourselves, greater than individual human beings or even groups of people. Purpose can change public policy, it can define our relationship with nature and the cosmos, it can inspire the spark that makes ordinary people do extraordinary things.

There is no entry fee. The deadline for submissions is May 31, 2004. All entries must be submitted on the internet, in English. Essays must be 3,500 words or less. The competition is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation.

One Grand Prize of $100,000; Four Awards of $50,000;
Four Awards of $25,000; Ten Awards of $10,000