A special ministry of the scholarship is the Vance H. Havner Preaching Award. It is the goal of the fund to prepare and send out servants for Christ who exhibit the utmost in ability and dedication. To that end, the Board members established the Vance Havner Preaching Award in 1988, with a goal of assisting especially gifted men who are preparing for the pastorate or missions.
Dr. Havner had a very close relationship with Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University), and was a favorite speaker of the students and staff. In recognition of those close ties, the Vance Havner preaching award is given annually to a rising senior in the seminary program at Columbia. The amount of the Preaching Award is $3,000.00, and the recipient is chosen each year by the faculty of Columbia International University. To be considered, one must be a third-year M.Div. student, exhibiting exceptional knowledge of God's Word. Further, he must posses superior skill and giftedness, and aspire to a ministry that emphasizes the preached Word. The name of the recipient is announced at Columbia's graduation ceremonies each year, and a plaque is presented at an annual October luncheon held in honor of Dr. Vance Havner's ministry.
Many of the men who were selected for this unique award have later expressed that this was just what the Lord used to financially help them through that finalacademic year. The Vance Havner Preaching Award is one way in which the resources entrusted to this Fund are used to send forth laborers with the highest levels of skill and dedication.
