Maria Brannen

Recently, I met Joan Stancil through our website contact form. Joan, a veteran Bible Drill leader, contacted me asking for some Bible Drill information. She shared some of her story, in the hopes that her Bible Drill story will encourage others to renew their participation in this vital ministry to children and youth.

Joan lives in Charlotte county, Florida and has been involved in the ministry of Bible Drill for over 60 years! She has worked with hundreds of children. She is now 92 years of age and unable to continue. However, like a true disciple, Joan is leaving another Bible Drill legacy by sharing her Bible Drill resources with others in Florida so that they can teach Bible Skills to a new generation.

Joan is a retired classroom teacher and elementary school principal. Her husband was a Baptist pastor for over 40 years. Joan led Bible Drill in multiple churches and at the associational level in Florida. She shared with me that she first began with Bible Drill when it was only for youth, back in 1960, in Martin county (FBC Stuart), and has rarely missed a year since. She has four sons. The first two did drills when it was just for youth. By the time her third son came along and was in the 4th grade, children’s drill had begun. Over the years, she has had a number of participants who qualified for state drills and a few who went on to the National Invitational Tournament for Bible Drill and Speakers (Jeffrey/James Gagliardo and Ben Sloan). In later years, she also had some speakers.

In closing, Joan shared: “If we are REALLY ‘People of the Book,’ then we need to start EARLY teaching how this wonderful treasure came to us and how to use it properly.”

Hello! My name is Maria. I am one of eight siblings, and the oldest out of five that were adopted. God chose the perfect family for me and my siblings. When my parents adopted me, my mom began to teach me how to read. It was hard and confusing at first, moving to a new home, but God had a plan for me. In this home, I learned many things and visited many new places. One of the things that I learned most about was the Bible. I was so amazed how God created the world and that is when I asked Him inside of my heart. Later I was baptized and I continued to learn more about God. I was always shy and did to like to talk in front of people, but God was growing me. I joined the High School Bible Drill. When it became too hard, especially the public speaking aspect, I wanted to give up. God helped me press on and I did not give up! I competed on many levels, finishing with the State Bible Drill level. Through my first year in Bible Drill, I learned to face my fears, trust in God, bury God’s word in my heart, and that God will walk with me through hard times. I am so thankful for my family, for those who serve with the Bible Drill and for Jesus, my savior.

This guest blog is by Maria Mongillo, a High School Bible Drill Student who lives in the Augusta, GA area.

Thank you to Southern Baptists of Texas Convention for hosting our 2023 National Invitational Youth and High School Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament! It was held Friday, June 16th at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Participants and families enjoyed a warm welcome to Southwestern Seminary by Dr. David Dockery (President of Southwestern Seminary), Dr. Micah Carter (Associate Dean of Texas Baptist College), Dr. Karen Kennemur (Professor of Children’s Ministry), and Dr. Richard Ross (Senior Professor of Student Ministry). Dr. Dockery, Dr. Carter, and Dr. Ross encouraged participants and shared that they were all former Bible Drillers.

We are proud of all of our Georgia State Winners for they great way they represented Georgia at the National Tournament. Hannah Cooke (center) is our Georgia State Youth Bible Drill Winner and is from Harp’s Crossing Baptist in Fayetteville. Leala Mae Hutchens (left) is our State High School Bible Drill Winner and is from First Baptist Church, Cochran. Suanna Morris (right) is our State Student Speakers Winner and is from Covenant Baptist Church in Valdosta.

Leala won 1st place in the National High School Bible Drill and received a perfect score award. Annabelle Hamrick (North Carolina Baptist State Convention) won 2nd place in High School Bible Drill. Peyton Woodell (North Carolina Baptist State Convention) won 1st place in Youth Bible Drill. Jonas Browder (Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions) won 2nd place in Youth Bible Drill. McKenna Masters (Baptist General Convention of Texas) won 1st place in the Speakers Competition. Liliana Jade Locklear (North Carolina Baptist State Convention) won 2nd place in the Speakers Competition.

Congratulations to all the State Winners who were a part of the 2023 National Tournament! The North Carolina Baptist State Convention will be hosting the 2024 National Tournament.

We are looking forward to our 2023 Spring Regional Events. Registration is open online. You can use our Events tab or use this direct link to our registration page: Registration

Regional Bible Drill and Speakers Competitions dates and locations:

April 11 – FBC Douglas

April 13 – Tom’s Creek, Martin

April 17 – FBC Lawrenceville

April 18 – FBC Cochran

April 20 – Cassville Baptist, Cartersville

April 23 – McDonough Road Baptist, Fayetteville