Texas Impact's sermon contest on health justice concluded on September 11, and the entries are now available for public viewing on YouTube. Winners will be announced on or before September 29.

Texas Impact salutes all the clergy and other faith leaders who submitted sermons to the contest, along with countless others who have been preaching and teaching on the issue of health justice. Texas is blessed with gifted, thoughtful faith leaders in a rich spectrum of traditions, and Texas Impact applauds their work to further the cause of justice in our state and throughout the world.

Click Here to watch the sermons.

Submit up to 10 minutes of video of your sermon/homily/other “pulpit presentation” for a chance to win cash, have your entry showcased on YouTube and be part of the national interfaith conversation about health care in America.

Why Health, Why Now? Health care is one of the hottest topics in the national media, and Congress is considering major changes to parts of the American health care system. Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the US, and looms large in the national discussion. Health is a priority concern for every faith tradition—as a focus of charity, a key mission area, and an issue of justice. Texas faith voices are important in the national policy conversation…now is your chance to make yours heard!

Printable Flyer (PDF)

Contest Rules and Prizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Contest Rules and Details

Two Categories: English Language and Spanish Language

Prizes: First place in each category receives $500. Second place in each category receives $100.

Dates and Deadlines:

June 23 - September 11 - Submit your entry

All qualifying entries will be posted on You Tube

Winners will be announced no later than October 11

Eligibility: Anyone can enter who is considered qualified to preach in their faith tradition, including ordained clergy, lay preachers, elders and deacons, seminary students and others. Employees or board members of Texas Impact, and the immediate family members of, and any persons domiciled with any such employees are not eligible to enter or to win. The term “immediate family members” includes spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and grandchildren.

Requirements: Contestants must submit a video clip up to 10 minutes in length of themselves delivering their sermon to a group—a congregration, a religious education class, a men's or women's gathering, etc. YOUR SERMON MUST BE DELIVERED IN TEXAS.

Video Rights:

By submitting an entry to the contest, you certify that no other person owns any portion of the content of your video. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Texas Impact if it faces any claims, liability, demands, or penalties of the content of your submitted work.

By submitting an entry, you acknowledge that a contestant must permit Texas Impact to broadcast and publish the contestant's work in any manner that Texas Impact sees fit. For example, Texas Impact may decide to use the video in another campaign or project. You understand that contestants will not receive any compensation beyond the prize money awarded for winning submissions. Also, you agree that Texas Impact may edit out parts of the work prior to publication. All submissions will be judged as submitted.

By submitting an entry, you agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless Texas Impact against all claims related to the contest or future uses of the work that you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I submit my entry?

How will entries be judged?

Who are the judges?

Don't have a video camera or other necessary equipment?

What if I have video troubles?

How do I submit my entry?

Video entries must be no longer than 10 minutes in length and submitted in digital format. You may either upload your video entry on our secure website or submit it via tape or DVD to Texas Impact at:

Not sure how to upload a video to a secure website? For this and other questions, Texas Impact has an IT guy standing by to assist you. Call 512-472-3903 for help.

How will entries be judged?

Judges will assess all entries based on content first and presentation second. Your sermon should address the topic of "health justice."

All contestants are welcome to participate in an online /conference call training session to bring you up to date on health care issues and provide faith resources to assist you in crafting a strong health justice sermon. Registering on this website will ensure you receive updates and information about participating in the training session.

NOTE: You may submit a 10-minute clip from a sermon that was longer than 10 minutes, but you will only be judged on your 10 minute clip.

Who are the judges?

Our sermon contest judges represent a variety of faith perspectives. The participants include:

Bishop Joel N. Martinez, Southwest Texas Annual Conference United Methodist Church (retired)

Ms. Judy Lackritz, Community Relations Council Director, Jewish Federation of San Antonio

Dr. Monya Stubbs, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Reverend Bill McElvaney, North Texas Annual Conference United Methodist Church

Sister JT Dwyer, Advocacy and Outreach Consultant, Seton Family of Hospitals

We anticipate the addition of one more judge to our panel and we will update this website accordingly.

Don't have a video camera or other necessary equipment?

Texas Impact is happy to help you with your equipment needs. Call 512-472-3903.

What if I have video trouble?

Texas Impact has an IT guy standing by to assist you. Call 512-472-3903