The number of participants is smaller. The time is shorter. The number of locations is fewer. But the drillers are taller. Their hands are much faster. And their reward is greater.
A week after the State Children’s Bible Drill, the SC Baptist Convention hosted the State Youth Bible Drill on Saturday May 1, 2010. Students in grades seven through nine arrived in Columbia ready to compete. Nerves were high, and some of the teens studied and practiced right up to the last minute. During the drills, 33 youth representing 13 churches across the state demonstrated their Bible skills in five separate areas: book drill, Scripture searching drill, identifying verses drill, doctrinal drill, and Bible answers drill.
Each skill requires the youth to locate a book or passage within eight seconds. Once they have found the correct book or verse, they step forward. Unlike the children’s drill, bonus points are awarded to those who step out first. The eight youth with the highest scores in the preliminary drills advance to the final drill.
The winner, with the highest Bible Drill score in the state, was Alison Westberry, a 7th grader from Taylors First Baptist Church, North Greenville Association. As state winner, she receives a complimentary week at Summersalt/Youth Music Camp at White Oak this summer. But her real reward is, in her own words, “With the Bible answers drill, it helps me to know where things are in the Bible to be able to explain things to others. If I have a particular problem, I now know where to go in the Bible to find an answer. The verses I learn now hopefully will help me in my faith and growth.”
The second place winner was Andrew Westberry, a 9th grader and brother of Alison, from Taylors First Baptist Church, North Greenville Association. He would recommend Bible drill to everyone because “If I have a question or someone asks me about something or I need to know an answer, I can have a verse ready about what the Bible says. Being able to find things quickly in the Bible is helpful. When I'm being tempted, I try to remember the verses and apply them.”
Earning medallions for participating at state level for three years in Youth Drill were:
Daniel Justice (Brushy Creek Baptist, Taylors)
Cory Thompson (Brushy Creek, Taylors)
Thomas Castles (Sandy Level, Blythewood)
Trey Lemmons (Gaffney First)
Clay Cannon (Sand Hill, Varnville)
Christian Johnson (Happy Home, Gallivants Ferry)
Keiko Bridwell (Poplar Springs, Moore)
Engraved 6th-year trophies are presented to those youth who participated in three years of Children’s Bible Drill as well as three years of Youth Bible Drill. Trophies were presented to:
Daniel Justice (Brushy Creek, Taylors)
Cory Thompson (Brushy Creek, Taylors)
Thomas Castles (Sandy Level, Blythewood)
Trey Lemmons (Gaffney First)
Keiko Bridwell (Poplar Springs, Moore)
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| Adult Bible Drill participants from Earle's Grove Baptist in Westminster demonstrate their skills. |
As with the children’s drills, Youth Bible Drill involves the support of church workers and families. Drill leaders work hard with these youth for about 10 months. Wanda Hawkins from Midway Baptist Church, Broad River Association, describes her reactions to the state drill, “
With the youth you always have fun with them and a lot of cutting up in practice, but when it comes down to the drill, they (the youth) are amazing. It is so gratifying for me to see these youth learning God’s Word. And I have always been so proud of each and every one of them. I receive blessings from this experience year after year.”
A new feature was added at this year’s State Youth Drill. While the finalists’ scores were being tabulated, Earle’s Grove Baptist Church showcased their Adult Bible Drill group. The six participants displayed courage, accuracy, and a little fun. Impressively, although they chose to use the 10-second time allotment used in children’s drills, they usually completed their calls well within the youth time of eight seconds.
Yes, Youth Bible Drill has smaller numbers, shorter times, and taller participants. However, the riches of God’s Word in their hearts are indescribable and incalculable.
Caroline Perez is the Bible Drill consultant for the SCBC Childhood Ministry Group. She leads Children’s Bible Drill at Southside Baptist, Florence.
