"Leaders of Tomorrow"

About the Competition

As Olive Branch Church entered its 22nd year, the 2023 essay competition looked forward rather than back. "Leaders of Tomorrow" invited young writers to articulate a vision — not a fantasy, but a grounded, principled vision — for what faithful leadership in their community might look like over the next ten years.

The competition was promoted through 8 schools and 3 colleges in Pokhara, and for the first time entries were accepted from youth aged 14 to 30 across all of Nepal. 134 entries were received, from Pokhara, Kathmandu, Dhangadhi, and even two entries from Nepali students studying abroad.

The judging panel of six included two former essay competition winners from earlier years, a school principal, and a member of the church's youth leadership conference organising committee.

Competition Theme

A vision for leading communities of faith with courage, humility, and purpose in the coming decade.

Writers were encouraged to approach the theme through personal narrative, theological reflection, argumentative essay, or a combination of these forms.

Who Can Enter

• Open to young people aged 14 to 30 residing anywhere in Nepal
• Nepali students studying abroad may also submit
• All faith backgrounds and community affiliations welcome
• Original, unpublished work; one submission per person
• Participants who have previously won an Olive Branch essay competition are not eligible for the prize, but may submit for recognition

Word limit: 1,000 – 3,000 words  ·  Language: English, Nepali, or bilingual

Criteria

All submissions are reviewed by a panel of church elders, educators, and community representatives. Entries are scored across four weighted criteria:

Deadlines