The number of participants is smaller, the time is shorter and the number of locations is fewer. But the drillers are taller, their hands much faster and their reward greater.
Alison Westberry, a seventh-grader from Taylors First Baptist Church, was the top scorer at this year’s Youth Bible Drill. Her brother Andrew was runner-up.A week after the State Children’s Bible Drill, the South Carolina Baptist Convention hosted the State Youth Bible Drill on May 1. Students in grades 7 through 9 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 required the youth to locate a book or passage within eight seconds. Once they have found the correct book or verse, they stepped forward. (Unlike the children’s drill, bonus points are awarded to those who step out first.
The winner, with the highest Bible drill score in the state, was Alison Westberry, a seventh-grader from Taylors First Baptist Church. She received a complimentary week at Summersalt/Youth Music Camp at White Oak this summer. “With the Bible answers drill, it helps me to know where things are in the Bible to be able to explain things to others,” Westberry said. “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 ninth-grader and brother of Alison. He said 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,” he said.
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, Galivants Ferry); and Keiko Bridwell (Poplar Springs, Moore).
Engraved sixth-year trophies were presented to the following youth who participated in three years of Children’s Bible Drill plus three years of Youth Bible Drill: Daniel Justice, Cory Thompson, Thomas Castles, Trey Lemmons and Keiko Bridwell.
Bible drill involves the support of church workers and families. Drill leaders work with the youth for about 10 months. Wanda Hawkins, Midway Baptist Church, Broad River Association, said, “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 are amazing. It is so gratifying for me to see these youth learning God’s word.”
A new feature was added to this year’s event. While the final scores were being tabulated, Earle’s Grove Baptist Church, Westminster, 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.
– Perez is the Bible drill consultant for the SCBC childhood ministry group and is a children’s Bible drill leader at Southside Baptist Church, Florence.