Congratulations to Jacob Winter, winner of the 2013 C. Henry Smith Oratorical Contest.
Jacob competed with students from all Mennonite and Brethren in Christ colleges and Universities across Canada and the US by composing and delivering a speech on the topic of the application of the Christian peace position to contemporary concerns.
In Jacob's speech, "What's Your Problem?," he discussed how the way you see a problem shapes the solution you design. When the actual people living in poverty were asked what poverty is to them, the answers seemed to have more to do with shame, humiliation, and voicelessness than GDP or having enough money. If the problem of poverty is in fact broken relationships rather than a simple lack of objects or wealth, then the solution is reconciliation. Jacob explains that we can see this relational solution of reconciliation in the life of Jesus, who came to reconcile the relationship between man and God. Jacob concluded that "Building Shalom is about taking away shame, demarginalising the vulnerable, giving a voice to the powerless; it's all about relationship."
Congratulations Jacob! Jacob will be winning an additional cash prize and his speech will be sent to Mennonite World Review for publication. His entire speech can be viewed online on youtube.
This year's competition is taking place on March 12th as part of the weekly Grebel chapel at 4:30pm. Come join us to hear another great round of Peace Speeches! Check out the contest guidelines for more information.