The South Carolina Baptist State Children’s Bible Drill was held Saturday, April 25, 2009, at four locations across the state: St. Andrews Church, Columbia; Southside Church in Florence; First Baptist Church, Simpsonville; and First Baptist Church, Anderson. Caroline Perez is the state coordinator and member of Southside Church in Florence.
A total of 230 children participated representing 58 churches. Children are in grades 4-6 and must participate in local church as well as associational Bible Drills before attending this state event. Students are drilled in four major areas: key passages, quotations, completion of verses, and book location.
Cindy Morris, SC Baptist Children’s Ministry Group director, believes that Bible Drill not only gives children a great foundation for biblical knowledge, but also helps with character building. An honor system is used and children are encouraged to acknowledge when they make a mistake. She says, “Bible Drill gives children a forever foundation for their lives centered in God’s Word.”
Donna Spearman and Gwen Eargle from Sandy Level Church, Blythewood, served as leaders at the St. Andrews Church location. Spearman served as a judge and Eargle served as a caller. Eargle has led for over 10 years with Spearman working as her assistant for four. They believe that Bible Drill is “one of the best things Southern Baptist churches have going for children today.” Spearman “got hooked” when her son, Marion, began participating as a child. Marion recently began serving as assistant director at White Oak Conference Center. Eargle enjoys most “watching the children memorizing God’s Word and seeing it put into practice.” Caroline Perez, state coordinator, says that this year there were 43 sixth graders participating who received three year medallions, recognizing their participation for three consecutive years. She says, “Regardless of the scores, all the participants are already winners and their efforts will bear spiritual fruit throughout their lives.”
Bible Drill training is offered in the fall by the state convention and is offered for individual churches as well as associations throughout the year. For more information contact scbibledrill@scbaptist.org.
2009 Bible Drill Statistics
