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GRAPEVINE and DALLAS Twenty-five students from various Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches gathered in Grapevine on May 15 for the SBTC Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament State Finals, competing in the youth, high school and speaker categories. Winners advanced from the May tournament to garner national honors at the National Invitational Tournament for Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament held at Dallas Baptist University one month later.
At the national tourney, all three SBTC state winners continued their winning ways. Andrew Wisely of First Baptist Dallas won first place in the National Youth Bible Drill. Lillian Felton, also of First Baptist Dallas, won first place in the National High School Bible Drill. Jonathan Perkins of Prestonwood Baptist won first place in the National Speakers Tournament.
Also from Texas, Leala Hutchens of FBC Cochran tied for second place in the National Youth Bible Drill.
“It was surreal to hear the nation’s best of the best Bible Drill students step out in less than eight seconds, perfectly reciting various passages of Scripture. SBTC driller Lillian Felton recited John 15:1-7 in the King James version without any mistakes. It was a wow moment for the whole audience,” said Taylor Garmon, SBTC Bible Drill consultant.
Following the afternoon drills and speakers presentations, the waiting game began for the students anticipating the evening awards ceremony which saw SBTC students emerge victorious in a sweep that had “not happened in a very long time, if ever,” Karen Kennemur, SBTC children’s ministry associate, posted on Facebook.
“We are so proud of these students’ hard and diligence work to earn national first-place wins, especially after a difficult year in church discipleship programs for children and students. We are even more proud of the students for hiding God’s Word in their hearts. They represented the SBTC well,” Garmon said.
The SBTC also hosted a Thursday evening fellowship for all participants and their families on June 17. After a dinner complete with Blue Bell ice cream, Garmon, clad in western duds, hosted entertainment.
The 2022 National Youth and High School Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament will be held in Georgia.
