Mike Farris:
One way the Generation Joshua program hopes to motivate participants is through the Benjamin Rush Awards Program. Ned, why do we highlight the founder Benjamin Rush?
Ned Ryun:
Well, Mike, Benjamin Rush, when he died, was called by John Adams one of the three of the greatest Founding Fathers (alongside George Washington and Benjamin Franklin). Benjamin Rush was a very outspoken Christian, very intelligent. He was called the Father of American Medicine—personally trained 3,000 medical students. And the reason I wanted to call this awards program the Benjamin Rush Awards Program was I wanted to give the young people a vision for being the best that they could be—the best well-rounded citizens, which not only includes performing well in their careers but also being involved in the stewardship of this nation.
Mike:
Ned, can you tell us how students compete in this program?
Ned:
Well, Mike, there are various components to the awards program. What we're going to be doing is challenging young people to be registering voters, writing letters to the editor, being involved in the online chat sessions. We're going to have online testing. And we're going to have three levels of rewards—the Patriot, the American, and the Citizen levels of awards. And those who achieve the top award of Patriot will have done the most in registering of voters and letters to the editor and participation in online chats. I think it's going to be a very exciting aspect to Generation Joshua.
Mike:
I want to encourage the young people out there who have the idea of seizing the spirit of the Founding Fathers to participate in this Benjamin Rush Awards Program. I'm Mike Farris.
For more information about Generation Joshua and how you can become involved, call 866-338-8614. That's 866-338-8614. Or visit us online at homeschoolheartbeat.com. Again, that's homeschoolheartbeat.com.
