Bible Drill and Speakers

Over the last several weeks, the Covid-19 pandemic has placed tremendous burden and stress on the workers of our healthcare community. One of those faithfully serving our medical needs is Rebekah North. Rebekah currently serves as a registered nurse on a medical-surgical unit at South Georgia Medical Center. As a 9-year Bible Driller, and 2012 Georgia Baptist Student Speakers Competition Winner, Rebekah knows what it means to combine hard work with a passion for God.  Today, Rebekah lives out that combination of hard work and Godly passion in her service as a nurse amid the Cov-19 crisis.  

The words of her winning speech, “Handling the Storms in Life,” continues to be an encouragement to all of us during this difficult time. “As Christians, there is no need to be afraid when He is there with us every step of the way. All we need to do is listen for his voice, trust His decisions, and obey His commands.”  You too can find hope and encouragement from her speech. Read her speech here.

As a former Georgia Baptist Student Speakers Competition winner, Rebekah received the Jenny Rogers Scholarship that helped pay for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.  Jenny Rogers was also an example of Christ’s call to serve those in need through healthcare.  Jenny Rogers, the daughter of Dennis and Judy Rogers, was a nursing student employed by the Georgia Baptist Hospital, now known as the Atlanta Medical Center. Through the Jenny Rogers Scholarship, established in her memory, we have been able to impact the lives of Student Speaker Competition Winners for over two decades. As a part of the #GivingTuesdayNow emphasis going on tomorrow, May 5, 2020, will you consider making a gift to the Jenny Rogers Scholarship Fund?  Your gift will provide even greater support to Godly young people like Rebekah and Jenny, who desire to make a positive impact for Christ.  

Give Now www.gbfoundation.org/rogers-scholarship-fund

To impact the next generation through the ministry of Bible Drill and Speakers donate here.

A special thank you to the Georgia Baptist Foundation for their assistance in highlighting the Jenny Rogers Scholarship.

Due to Covid-19, Student Speakers will participate in a 2020 State-Wide Competition via video with guidelines provided by Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.  There will not be a Regional Student Speakers Competition for 2020, only a state-wide competition.  Speakers will submit a video of their speech for scoring by our team of judges.  For more information on this change, read our blog article: Covid-19 Update 3.

Deadline to register for the State-Wide Student Speakers Competition is April 30.  Speakers have through May 11th to submit their video to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.  

Process for Speakers: 

• Student Speakers qualify at the Church Level by one of these options: 
  • Qualifying in a Church Student Speakers Competition conducted under normal circumstances before Covid-19 impacted church schedules.
  • Qualifying in a small Speakers Competition/Presentation (limited to 10 or less). The presentation would include the speaker, 3 judges, a timekeeper, and speaker(s). Option: Livestream each speaker for the church family. 
  •  Qualifying in a Church Speakers Competition using technology (video/zoom, etc.): 
    • The speech can be filmed using a phone or video recorder. Download our tips sheet at the end of this blog article for guidelines and helpful hints.
    • Upload the video file(s) and share with the judges. If a speaker is doing the speech at home, share the video of the speech with the Leader so that she can send it out to the judges for scoring.

If a Student Speakers Competition/Presentation is held at the church, make sure to follow current church, CDC, and/or State/National Guidelines regarding gathering together, social distancing, Shelter in Place orders, etc.

• Register qualifying speakers online for the state-wide Student Speakers Competition.
  • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8NiOZRcvpe9CM-DPtLnpDNBtv01vZjcRqheivXswSxjrzaQ/viewform?usp=sf_link 
  • Once you have registered the names of your speakers, click the link to pay your registration fees.  The cost to register for the State Student Speakers Competition will be $10.  The remote registration fee will cover partial cost of administrative expenses, certificates/awards, and shipment expenses. Member churches who contributed $250 or more to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc., earlier this year will receive special instructions to register each speaker at a 50% discount. To pay online, click this link: https://checkout.square.site/buy/PVSRCG6J6TFJIETD3U5VEZUM
• Leaders will receive instructions for recording the speech and how to upload the Student Speakers video for State Competition score after they register and pay.
• Recognition: Certificates and/or awards will be mailed to the church. If a participant is the State Winner/Runner-up, a future date will be scheduled to present the winner trophies at the speaker’s church.

Scholarships:

The 1st place State Student Speakers Winner will receive three scholarships: the Jenni Rogers Memorial Scholarship, a one-time (2020) Georgia Student Speakers Scholarship of $500 (due to Nationals being canceled), and a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 per year) if speaker chooses to attend Shorter University, Truett-McConnell University, or Brewton-Parker College.

The 2nd place winner in the Student Speakers Competition will receive the second place Jenni Rogers Memorial Scholarship.

Get immediate updates from our website by entering your e-mail address on our main webpage.

Thank you for your patience and gracious consideration as events in our state and country are unfolding on a daily basis. Please understand that we may have to make additional future adjustments.

Contact us if you have any additional questions at bibledrillspeakers@gmail.com

Due to Covid-19, Youth/High School Bible Drillers will participate in their 2020 Regional Drill via video with guidelines/materials supplied to their church by Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.  Bible Drill Leaders will submit a video of the drill for scoring by our team of judges.  For more information on this change, read our blog article: Covid-19 Update 3.

Churches/drillers have through May 17th to conduct the Regional Drill and to submit the video to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.  We recommend you host your Church Drill no later than May 3rd.

Process for Youth/High School Drillers: 

• Youth/High School Drillers qualify at the Church Level by one of these options*: 
  • Qualifying in a Church Drill conducted under normal circumstances before Covid-19 impacted church schedules.
  • Qualifying in a rescheduled drill if time and circumstances allow.  We realize that this will may not be an option for many churches.
  • Qualifying in a small Church Drill (limited to 10 or less). These drills may have to be scheduled on different days and only drill 3-5 at a time with no family in the audience because of the need for judges/and caller.  Option: Limit drillers to 3-4 per drill and livestream a church drill. 
  •  Qualifying in a Church Drill using technology (video/zoom, etc.) For instructions on how to do Bible Drill by video check out our blog article: Bible Drill by Video
  • *If a church is unable to have a Church Drill using one of these options, please contact us at bibledrillspeakers@gmail.com.

• Youth/High School Drillers qualify at the Associational Level by one of these options:
  • Qualifying in an Associational Drill under normal circumstances before Covid-19 impacted schedules.
  • Qualifying by applying Associational standards to the church drill.  Any Youth/High School drillers who scored 225 at the church level may advance to the Regional Drill.
  • Qualifying by participating in a second drill at your church or by video. (If hosting a drill at your church, it is recommended to limit attendance as described above with Church Drills) This drill is designated as an Associational Drill, using different “calls” and applying the Associational standards to advance.

In any Church or Associational Drill, if held at the church, make sure to follow current church, CDC, and/or State/National Guidelines regarding gathering together, social distancing, Shelter in Place orders, etc.

• Register qualifying Youth/High School Bible Drillers online and designate the date you will conduct the “Regional Drill.” Use this link: 
  • https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/2020-regional-bible-drill-and-speakers-registration/
  • Once you have registered the names of your Youth/High School drillers, click the link to pay your registration fees.  The cost to register for regional competitions for each driller/speaker will be $10.  The remote registration fee will cover partial cost of administrative expenses, certificates/awards, and shipment expenses. Member churches who contributed $250 or more to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc., earlier this year will receive special instructions to register each driller at a 50% discount.
• You will receive a copy of the Regional Call sheet by email, 24-48 hours before the date of your Regional Drill you indicated when you registered.  (Important: If you have not paid your registration fees, you will not receive the call sheet.) This call sheet is to only be viewed by the Bible Drill Leader and/or caller.  It cannot be used for a practice drill.
• The Drill can be filmed using a phone or video recorder. Download our tips sheet for guidelines and helpful hints. Tips for Shooting a Bible Drill Video Download
• Leaders will receive instructions on how to upload the Regional Bible Drill video for scoring when they are emailed the call sheet. 
• Recognition: Regional Drill certificates and awards (3,6, 9 years) will be mailed to the church or presented at the State Youth/High School Drill to those qualifying drillers.

Get immediate updates from our website by entering your e-mail address on our main webpage.

Thank you for your patience and gracious consideration as events in our state and country are unfolding on a daily basis. Please understand that we may have to make additional future adjustments.

Contact us if you have any additional questions at bibledrillspeakers@gmail.com

Many of our churches were not able to host a church drill before Covid-19 impacted ministry. Some of our families are self-isolating due to a variety of reasons: someone in the household undergoing cancer treatment, aging grandparents living in the household, parents in the medical profession, etc. Other families live in cities or counties that have issued shelter in place or stay at home orders. In this day of social distancing and rethinking how we do church and ministry using technology, we are offering drillers the option to do their 2020 Church Drill via video.

Process:

• Choose whether to do this at home (single driller or siblings drilling together) or as a small group of less than 10 (including drillers, caller, and any on-site judges). Friends and family can watch the video at a later time or via live stream.
• For a Church Drill, the Bible Drill Leader will provide a copy of the call sheet to the caller or parent, if doing an in-home drill. For Regional Youth and High School Drills, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers will provide the call sheet. It is recommended that the call sheets be provided approximately 24 hours before the drill. The call sheets should not be used as a practice for the driller(s).
• The Drill can be filmed using a phone or video recorder. Download our tips sheet below for guidelines and helpful hints.

• Upload the video file(s) and share with the judges. If parents are doing the Church Drill at home – Share the video of the Drill with the Bible Drill Leader. She will send it out to the judges for scoring.
• A Video file can be uploaded and shared using Google or Dropbox. Best practices for sharing files of drillers:
  • Parents – share the video with the Bible Drill Leader and at least one other leader (Children’s Minister, Student Minister, Pastor, etc.)
  • If students are uploading and sharing the file, always include one or both parents in addition to sharing the link with your leaders.

• Bible Drill Leaders:
  • Share the video file with your judges. Send an e-mail to the judges. Include attachments and links for Judges (scoresheets, a copy of the call sheet, judge guidelines) as well as any other instructions.
  • Remind Judges that they can only view the video of the drill once. They cannot rewind the video, etc.
  • Determine if someone will serve as the judge chairman to collect and tally sheets via e-mail/text or if the judges will send the scoresheets to you to tally. Include these instructions in the e-mail to the judges.
  • Text or call parents with the results.
• Recognize drillers after the Church Drill.
  • In church newsletter
  • On Church’s Social Media (with parents permission)
• Register Drillers for the State Drill (Children) and Regional Drill (Youth and High School) https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/2020-regional-bible-drill-and-speakers-registration/

Contact us if you have any additional questions at bibledrillspeakers@gmail.com

Due to Covid-19, Children’s Bible Drillers will participate in a State Drill at their local church with guidelines/materials provided by Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers, Inc.  Churches have through July 31st to conduct the State Drill at their church and to submit the names, scores, and 3rd year Bible Drill award recipients to us. (This deadline will be extended if needed.)

Process: 

• Children’s Drillers qualify at the Church Level by one of these options*: 
  • Qualifying in a Church Drill conducted under normal circumstances before Covid-19 impacted church schedules.
  • Qualifying in a rescheduled drill if time and circumstances allow.  We realize that this will may not be an option for many churches.
  • Qualifying in a small Church Drill (limited to 10 or less). These drills may have to be scheduled on different days and only drill 3-5 at a time with no family in the audience because of the need for judges/and caller.  Option: Limit drillers to 3-4 per drill and livestream a church drill.  
  • Qualifying in a Church Drill using technology.

• Children’s Drillers qualify at the Associational Level by one of these options:
  • Qualifying in an Associational Drill under normal circumstances before Covid-19 impacted schedules.
  • Qualifying in a rescheduled Associational Drill if time and circumstances allow.  We realize that this may not be an option for some associations.
  • Qualifying by applying Associational standards to the church drill.  Any children’s drillers who scored 16 at the church level may advance to the State Drill.
  • Qualifying by participating in a second drill at your church. (It is recommended to limit attendance as described above with Church Drills) This drill is designated as an Associational Drill, using different “calls” and applying the Associational standards to advance.

• Register qualifying Children’s Bible Drillers online and designate the date you will conduct the “State Drill” at your local church. Use this link: 
  • https://bibledrillandspeakers.com/2020-regional-bible-drill-and-speakers-registration/
• Once you have registered the names of your children’s drillers, click the link to pay your registration fees.
• You will receive a copy of the Regional Call sheet by email, 24-48 hours before the date of your Church Drill.  (Important: If you have not paid your registration fees, you will not receive the call sheet.) This call sheet is to only be viewed by the caller, Bible Drill leader, and judges.  It cannot be used for a practice drill.
• Conduct the State Drill at your local church.
  • Schedule a date
  • Enlist a caller, timer, and 3 judges
  • Use the call sheet provided by Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc.  
  • Email our office the results of the drill using this form

• State Drill certificates and awards will be mailed to the church.
• Set a time to present Children’s Bible Drillers with their certificates and 3-year awards.

*If a church is unable to have a Church Drill using one of these options, please contact us at bibledrillspeakers@gmail.com.

In light of recent CDC, state and national announcements, and with last night’s declaration of school closings through April 24th, we are canceling all of our onsite Regional Bible Drill and Student Speakers Competitions. We will move to our remote/video plan for 2020 Bible Drill and Speakers in Georgia as mentioned in our earlier post:

• Children’s Bible Drillers will participate in a State Drill at their local church with guidelines/materials provided by Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc.  Churches have through May 31st to conduct the State Drill at their church and to submit the names, scores, and 3rd year Bible Drill award recipients to us. This deadline will be extended if needed.
• Youth and High School Drillers will participate in their Regional Drill via video with guidelines/materials supplied by us to their church.  Bible Drill Leaders will submit a video of the drill to us for scoring. 
• Speakers – Speeches will be submitted via video along with a copy of their written speech. Our judges will score it based 50% on delivery and 50% on written content.  There will only be one level of scoring for speakers. The speaker with the top score will be our State Winner.

The cost to register for regional competitions for each driller/speaker will be $10.  The remote registration fee will cover partial cost of administrative expenses, certificates/awards, and shipment expenses. Member churches who contributed $250 or more to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc., earlier this year will receive special instructions to register each driller at a 50% discount.

We are still hoping to have a State Youth/High School Drill on our original date of May 9.  June 20 is our back-up State Drill date if needed due to Covid-19 issues.

Over the next few days, we will release a series of articles on our website/blog for each age group with specific details regarding hosting your Children’s State Drill at church and Youth/High School Drills Speeches via video.

Get immediate updates from our website by entering your e-mail address on our main webpage.

Thank you for your patience and gracious consideration as events in our state and country are unfolding on a daily basis. Please understand that we may have to make additional future adjustments.

We are pleased to announce that scholarships will be awarded for Youth, High School and Student Speakers Winners in Georgia this year. With the cancelation of the 2020 National Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament, Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Student Speakers, Inc. will award a $500 college scholarship to each of our three 2020 state winners. Earlier this week, the Nationals Committee decided that the 2020 National Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament would be canceled due to the ongoing concern surrounding COVID-19. The majority of State Bible Drills across the country have been cancelled or postponed.

In addition to these one-time $500 College Scholarships to our Youth/High School Bible Drill and Speakers Winners, we have college scholarships awarded each year to High School Bible Drill and Student Speakers Winners. The Waldo and Sarah Woodcock Scholarship is awarded to our High School Bible Drill Winner each year. Our Student Speakers Winner receives the Jenny Rogers Memorial Scholarship and the runner-up also receives a smaller scholarship from this fund. If a Student Speaker Winner chooses to attend Brewton-Parker College, Shorter University, or Truett McConnell University, they will receive an additional $4,000 scholarship to be awarded in increments of $1,000 per year.

Due to the Coronavirus, we find ourselves in unprecedented times.  In addition to national/state guidelines and regulations, we also realize that each family, church, association, and community has different circumstances. We recommend that you follow the advice of your pastor, association, local government leaders and medical advice when making a determination regarding your option for a church and/or associational drill.  

If a Church or Associational Drill has been canceled due to the Coronavirus, we recommend the following:

• Reschedule the drill if time and circumstances allow.  We realize that this will probably not be an option for many churches or associations.
• Hold a small church drill (limit to 10 or less). You may have to schedule on different days and only drill 3-5 at a time with no family in the audience because of the need for judges/and caller.  Option: Limit drillers to 3-4 per drill and livestream your church drill.  
• If an Associational Drill is canceled: Under these special circumstances of the coronavirus, drillers can advance to the Regional/State Drills under one of these options:
  • Apply the Associational standards to your church drill.  Any children’s drillers who scored 16 at the church level may advance to the State Drill. Youth/High School Drillers who score 225 or more may advance to the Regional Drills.
  • Host a second drill at your church (limit attendance as described above) and designate it as your associational drill, using different “calls” and applying the associational standards to advance.
  • If you had a church drill scheduled later and are unable to host a small church drill, contact us at bibledrillspeakers@gmail.com.

Please keep in mind small groups of 10 or less, social distancing, and good cleaning/disinfecting procedures. 

At this point, we have not canceled any of our Regional Drills.  We’ll make individual Regional Drill locations final decisions closer to the dates. 

In the event Regional/State Drill Events are canceled:

• Children’s Bible Drillers will have the option to attend a later Regional/State Drill (if this option is available) or participate in a State Drill at their local church with guidelines/materials provided by Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc., with an extended timeframe.
• Youth and High School Drillers will have the option to attend a later Regional/State Drill (if this option is available) or local churches will conduct the Regional Drill with guidelines/materials supplied by us and submit a video of the drill to us for scoring.
• Speakers – Speeches will be submitted via video along with a copy of their written speech and have our judges score it based 50% on delivery and 50% on written content.  

Registration for Regional Drills will now probably not open until the first week of April. We may only open an event or two at a time in order to closely monitor the current situation and make the best decisions possible.  Get immediate updates from our website by entering your e-mail address on our main webpage.

If we are able to host our Regional Drills as planned, the cost per driller/speaker to register will be $20.  If we move to the remote/video option, the cost to register for each driller/speaker will be $10.  (The remote registration fee will cover partial cost of administrative expenses, certificates/awards, and shipment expenses.). Member churches who contributed $250 or more to Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc., earlier this year will receive special instructions to register each driller at a 50% discount.

We are still hoping to have a State Youth/High School Drill on our original date of May 9, but are also looking at a possible back-up date in June that we will announce in the near future.

Thank you for your patience and gracious consideration as events in our state and country are unfolding on a daily basis. Please understand that we may have to make additional future adjustments.

Please continue to prepare for Bible Drill and Student Speakers.  While Regional/State drills and competitions (if needed) may be in a different format such as a remote format possibly using technology, the Drills and Competitions will continue.  We’ll provide future updates no later than April 2 regarding Regional/State Drill dates and locations.

Regional Drills and Speakers Competitions:

Tuesday, April 14, 2020 – Tom’s Creek, Martin

Thursday, April 16, 2020 – FBC Douglas

Sunday, April 19, 2020 – West Rome Baptist

Monday, April 20, 2020 – FBC Lawrenceville

Tuesday, April 21, 2020 – FBC Cochran

Thursday, April 23, 2020 – Warren Baptist, Augusta

Sunday, April 26, 2020 – FBC Douglasville

Schedule for Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday Drills

• 3:30 pm – Registration for Children’s Drills
• 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm – Children’s Drills 
• 6:30 pm – Registration for Youth/High School Bible Drill and Speakers 
• 7:00 pm – Youth/High School Bible Drill/Speakers Competition Begins

Schedule for Sunday Drills

• 1:30 pm – Registration begins for Children’s Bible Drill
• 2:00 pm – Children’s Drills begin
• 3:00 pm – Registration for Youth/High School and Speakers
• 3:30 pm – Youth/High School Bible Drill/Speakers Competition Begins

Please Note: Churches will receive their Assigned Children’s Bible Drill Times after they register for Regional/State Drills.

* To qualify for the Regional/State Drills – Children’s Drillers must score 16 or higher, Youth/High School Drillers must score 225 or higher

Saturday, May 9, 2020 – State Youth/High School Bible Drill and Student Speakers Competition – First Baptist Church, Loganville

June 18-19, 2020 – National Youth/High School Bible Drill and Youth Speakers Tournament – Dallas Baptist University – Dallas, Texas 

Registration for Regional/State Drills Coming Soon! Registration fee is $20 per Driller or Speaker for the 2020 Children’s State Drills and Regional Youth/High School Bible Drill and Student Speakers Competition. 

Churches donating at the Member of Bible Drill Fellowship Level for Georgia Baptist Bible Drill and Speakers Inc ($250) will receive a 50% discount on the registration fees for each driller and speaker at the Regional/State Drills if the donation is received by January 31, 2020.