By Message staff
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist children and youth in grades 4-12 recently competed in State Bible Drill and the Speakers Tournament.
State Bible Drill was held at three separate locations (Temple Baptist, Ruston on April 26, First Baptist Church, Covington on April 28 and Kingsville Baptist Church, Ball on April 30). In all, 276 children, youth and high school students participated in State Bible Drill (170 children and 106 middle and high schoolers). The Speakers Tournament was held April 30 at Louisiana Christian University.
BIBLE DRILL
Ninth grader Brett Frost, New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, West Monroe, and twelfth grader Mary Copeland, First Baptist Church, Gonzales, each were chosen to represent Louisiana at the National Invitational Tournament in June at First Baptist Church, Brunswick, Georgia.
Bible Drill involves a three-step process which begins in the church before moving on to the district level and then finally advancing to the state level. They are part of a discipleship program designed to assist children, youth, and high school students in developing useful skills and knowledge of the Bible.
Participants test their knowledge in the books of the Bible, scripture references, different approaches to the plan of salvation and scripture references on basic beliefs and doctrinal convictions.
Several students from the three state sites were also awarded Louisiana Christian University scholarships that vary in amount:
- Ruston – Anna Clair Bridges, First Baptist Church, Farmerville;
- Covington – Rebecca Pugh, Ascension Baptist Church, Gonzales; Timothy Singletary, First Baptist Church, Covington; Emma Singletary, First Baptist Church; and
- Ball – Leah Aime, Woodlawn Baptist Church, Baton Rouge; Presley Davis, Woodlawn Baptist Church, Baton Rouge; Thomas Garbarino, First Baptist Church , Lafayette; and Kloie Walker, First Baptist Church, DeRidder.
“We had another great year in Children’s Drill with many children completing the church, district, and state portions of the drill with flying colors,” Louisiana Baptists Preschool/Children’s Ministry Strategist David Anderson told the Message. “We are proud of all the children that participated and are grateful that God’s Word will not come back void from their efforts.”
Louisiana Baptists Youth Strategist Brandon Lewis added: “We had a great time at State Bible Drills this year and we are so proud of each youth and high schooler that participated at the church, district and state level. They have worked hard to hide God’s Word in their hearts and have been equipped with a plan to share the Gospel with others. I believe God will bless those efforts and use them in mighty ways.”
SPEAKERS TOURNAMENT
Hannah Pearce, Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, placed first in the Speakers Tournament and will represent Louisiana at the National Invitational Tournament. She also will receive a $4,500 annual scholarship to LCU.
Lucille Ferguson, First Baptist Church, Covington, got second place and will receive a $3,500 annual scholarship to LCU. Rebekah Diaz, also from FBC, Covington, received third place, and will get a $2,500 annual scholarship to LCU.
The Youth Speakers Tournament is a ministry for students, grades 10-12, and is designed to encourage growth toward Christian maturity. Participants engage in research, study, prayer, and delivery of a speech that articulates biblical truth.
