By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer
BALL, La. (LBM) – Nathan Law, Joshua Pugh and Macey Baze were chosen to represent Louisiana at the national competition at Dallas Baptist University, June 17-18, following the recent state Youth and High School Bible Drill, and Speakers’ Tournament.
The event, which was postponed last year by COVID-19 safety concerns, drew 62 children and 96 youth to Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball, April 24.
Bible Drill is a discipleship program for children and youth to help increase their knowledge of the Bible. It is also fun as children learn to memorize Scripture and gain confidence in their knowledge of the Bible and their ability to quickly locate significant passages with ease.
Participants in the state Bible Drill and Speakers’ Tournament advanced from the district level after competing in their local churches.
“We are so thankful that we were able to host state Bible Drill and Speakers’ Tournament in-person this year,” Louisiana Baptist Youth Ministry Strategist Brandon Lewis told the Baptist Message. “The students worked hard and did a fantastic job. The scriptures that have been hidden in students’ hearts is a treasure that will remain with them forever. We’re also thankful for the parents, volunteers and judging teams that made Bible Drill and Speakers’ Tournament a possibility this year.”
All three winners who advanced to the national tournament said Bible Drill has equipped them to become bolder witnesses for Christ.
Law, who has participated in Bible Drill for six years, said God used his participation in the program to draw him to a relationship with Christ.
“Bible Drill has had a huge impact in my life,” said Law, a member of First Baptist Church in Gonzalez. “In 2018, as I was meditating on my Bible Drill card, the Lord used Romans 10:13 to save me.”
It was Pugh’s seventh Bible Drill.
“Hiding God’s Word in your heart is so important,” Pugh, a member of Ascension Baptist Church in Gonzalez, said. “You never know when God will use the verse you memorize to help you or someone else through you.”
Baze, a member of First Baptist Church in Covington, won last year’s 11th grade Speakers Tournament competition through Zoom and this year was excited to deliver, in person, her winning speech “Can I be tolerant and still be biblical.”
“It was as equally amazing to win this year,” Baze said. “We are called to hide the Word in our heart, and Bible Drill helps you do that. It’s a huge blessing. You don’t grow if you don’t get out of your comfort zone. Being surrounded by godly Christian leaders who want you to succeed and grow is an opportunity of lifetime.”
BIBLE DRILL
7th Grade – First Place: Andrew Manning, Church Acadiana, Lafayette; Second Place: Laura Beth Mears, Kingsville, Ball.
8th Grade – Winners were declared in two groups. First Place: Briley Jones, Quitman, Quitman; Second Place (tie): Kelsey Keyser, FBC Arcola and Patricia Lunsford, FBC Slaughter; and First Place: Levi Lindsay, Woodlawn, Baton Rouge; Second Place: Jacob Aime, Woodlawn, Baton Rouge.
9th Grade – Winners were declared in two groups. First Place: Nathan Law, FBC Gonzales; Second Place: Timothy Singletary, FBC Covington; and First Place: Kloe Walker, FBC DeRidder; Second Place (tie): Peyton Moschell, Grace Memorial, Slidell and Rebecca Pugh, Ascension, Gonzalez. A drill-off was held among the 10 participants with the highest overall scores: Nathan Law, FBC Gonzales; Timothy Singletary, FBC Covington; Kloe Walker, FBC DeRidder; Peyton Moschell, Grace Memorial, Slidell; Anna Keifer, Woodlawn, Baton Rouge; Elijah Palao, Grace Memorial, Slidell; Josie Manning, Church Acadiana, Lafayette; Rebecca Pugh, Ascension, Gonzalez; Kinsey Murrah, FBC Opelousas; Ryleigh Treloar, FBC Slaughter. Nathan Law edged out the other nine competitors to represent Louisiana Baptists at the National Youth Bible Drill Tournament.
10th Grade – Winners were declared in two groups. First Place: Laynie Atwood, Kingsville, Ball; Second Place: Chase Haag, Kingsville, Ball; and First Place: Leah Aime, Woodlawn, Baton Rouge; Second Place: Abigail Manning, FBC Lafayette.
11th Grade – All three winners were awarded Louisiana College scholarships. First Place: Carlie Richardson, Woodlawn, Baton Rouge ($4,500.00/year); Second Place: Jack Stogner, FBC Covington ($3,500.00/year); Third Place: Anna Claire Bridges, New Chapel Hill, West Monroe ($2,500.00/year).
12th Grade (high school) – First Place: Lydia Bearry, Woodlawn, Baton Rouge.
12th Grade National Bible Drill (additional requirements) – First Place: Joshua Pugh, Ascension, Gonzalez.
SPEAKERS’ TOURNAMENT
10th Grade – First Place: Sydney Baze, FBC Covington.
11th Grade – First Place: Caitlyn Beebe, Woodlawn, Baton Rouge ($4,500.00/year Louisiana College scholarship).
12th Grade – First Place: Macey Baze, FBC Covington.
