The theme of this year’s Christmas newsletter is “Good News in Bethlehem”.  Of course, we know WHO the Good News is … Yeshua, Jesus, the Christ, the Promised Messiah, the Redeemer, the King, the Lord of all!  Setting aside any controversy about when the Messiah came to earth in the form of a tiny child, we’re asking you as a writer to share a story from your heart based on the theme “Good News in Bethlehem” and submit it to us no later than midnight on December 1st. 

1. Your story must be submitted via email to jan@journezine.com.
2. All entries must be received by midnight on December 1st.
3. Your entry (you may submit more than one) must be no less than 300 and no more than 750 words in length; please use a word-counter to help us stay within our limit.  Any entry outside the word limit will be automatically disqualified.
4. Your story must be submitted IN THE BODY OF AN EMAIL—NOT AN ATTACHMENT!  Please simply copy and paste your entry into the body of an email and send it to jan@journezine.com.
5. Because this is a Christian ministry, your entry must reflect Christian principles and somehow point to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 
6. Because we are pressed for time, please help us by including the following information with your submission:
   • Full name
   • Mailing Address
   • Phone Number
   • Email Address
   • Short Bio (under 75 words) with a link to a picture if possible
   • Link to your website and/or blog

7. Finally, make sure your story (or stories) are edited and in publishable form.

By submitting your story, you confirm that you allow Heart of God International Ministries to use your story in the December newsletter to be mailed to all partners and friends of the ministry, to be displayed on the websites, and to be featured in the December issue of JournEzine if your story is chosen.  Also you affirm that you release to Heart of God International Ministries the rights to use your story even if you have it copyrighted. 

Please only submit original material—any forwards or copied or plagiarized stories will automatically be rejected by us. 

We have three independent judges who will read your story (or stories) anonymously; your name and contact information will be removed before submitting the entries to them for judging.  We affirm there will be no favoritism—each entry will stand on its own merit.

This year we are pleased to offer great incentives to you for your participation and some wonderful PRIZES for First, Second, and Third place winners.

• A check in the amount of $25.00.
• Your story will be FEATURE STORY in December 2008 JournEzine, Heart of God International Ministry Christmas Newsletter, and appear on the front page of each of the major ministry sites.
• An interview to be published in the December 2008 issue of JournEzine where you can share your heart, your ministry, or whatever you feel led to share about yourself.  Jeanice will be conducting this interview with you.
• Three free autographed copies of Women of Passions book to give as gifts this Christmas or however you choose.
• IGNITE YOUR PASSION TOUR will come to your hometown where you will have an opportunity to share with women from your church and/or community as part of the one-day women’s conference, completely at NO COST to you! 

• A check in the amount of $15.00.
• Your story will appear in the December issue of JournEzine and promoted as a winning entry for the THIRD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS STORY CONTEST.
• Two free autographed copies of Women of Passions book to give as gifts this Christmas or however you choose.
• IGNITE YOUR PASSION TOUR will come to your hometown where you will have an opportunity to share with women from your church and/or community as part of the one-day women’s conference, completely at NO COST to you.
•  

• A check in the amount of $10.00
• Your story will appear in the December issue of JournEzine and promoted as a winning entry for the THIRD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS STORY CONTEST.
• One free autographed copy of Women of Passions book to keep or give as a gift this Christmas.
• IGNITE YOUR PASSION TOUR will come to your hometown where you will have an opportunity to share with women from your church and/or community as part of the one-day women’s conference, completely at NO COST to you.

We are excited to be able to include up to TEN of the top entries in the December 2008 issue of JournEzine as the judges recommend, primarily depending on the number of entries.  But this means you will have to get your story or stories in quickly.

If you have any questions, contact us.  Please feel free to pass this invitation to participate along to your friends and colleagues.  We look forward to hearing from you VERY, VERY SOON!