Bible quiz team heads to Seattle competition
Encouraged by a successful season, the Cove Run Free Methodist Church Bible Quiz Team is planning to participate in a national competition that will take place June 24-29 at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington. “We’re a little nervous; a little bit excited,’ said team member David Brooks.
The Cove Run Free Methodist Church Bible Quiz Team, which has operated for the past three years, includes nine members from four different churches and three coaches.
The members from Cove Run Free Methodist Church include: Jacob Raymond, 14, of North Union Township, who is home schooled and in the eighth grade; Justin Yauger, 15, of North Union Township, who is a ninth-grade student at Laurel Highlands Senior High School; David Brooks, 15, of Dunbar, who is home schooled and in the ninth grade; and Lacey Hall, 13, of Dunbar, who is in the eighth grade at Connellsville Junior High West.
The members from Tucker Run Free Methodist Church include: Travis Wingrove, 13, of Dunbar, who is an eighth-grade student at Connellsville Junior High West; Jim Burnsworth, 11, of North Union Township, and a sixth-grade student at Kennedy Elementary School; and Ron Harlass, who attends Kennedy Elementary School.
In addition, the team includes Joshua Schaefer, 13, of Chalk Hill, who is a seventh-grade student at A.J. McMullen School and Shaina Kubizna, 13, of North Union Township, who is a seventh-grade student at Laurel Highlands Junior High.
The Cove Run Bible quiz team is actually divided into three teams, which compete at different grade levels. Instructing and encouraging the quiz team members are head coach Becky Wadsworth, coach Sharon Raymond and quiz masters Chris Yauger and Tonya Burnsworth.
The quiz team participates in different competitions around the area and the region. But competing at the national level is a highlight.
Wadsworth explained that Free Methodist Church’s annual national competition is open to all Bible quiz teams, including teams from other countries. But the competition is so tough that Cove Run hasn’t considered attending before this year.
“It’s a round robin, but unless your team is winning, you can get eliminated the first day,’ Wadsworth said.
This year, Cove Run’s chances look good. The team has been competing and winning competitions since last fall. They received a big boost in confidence last October when they were invited to compete against teams in the Genesee/Susquehana Conference at Pearce Memorial Church in North Chili, New York. The veteran team placed first in the Young Teen Veteran competition. Cove Run has added subsequent wins and more confidence in regional competition since then.
In January, the team made the decision to attend national competition and has been busy raising funds – as well as preparing for competition – ever since.
“We’ve had a hoagie sale, spaghetti dinner, sold Avon and candy bars. We’ve also had a lot of private donations,’ Sharon Burnsworth explained.
She estimated total expenses for the trip at $8,500, including airfare, lodging and meals. The team still needs to raise about $4,500 to make the trip.
Burnsworth said, “We trust in the Lord. We know he’ll provide.’
Asked what they like about the Bible quiz team, the members gave a variety of answers.
Jacob, who also excels at individual competition: “I just like to go and win. It feels good to win a trophy.’
Justin: “I like it because it’s fun. If you do well at the quiz, you bring home a trophy.’
Travis: “I like it because you get to learn Scripture and it’s fun. When you win a trophy, it’s nice to know you worked hard to get it.’
David: “I like the competition and it’s an easier way to learn the Scripture. And you get to see other churches.’
The members also believe that learning Scriptures helps them in other areas of their lives.
Jacob: “It gives me rules for my life: how to live right and not sin against God.’
Justin: “I think it helps me in everything. It just gives me rules: what to do, not to do, how to act towards one another.’
David: “It sets guidelines on what you should do and how life should be. You’re having a conversation and what you’ve learned pops into your head.’
Travis: “It helps me build a stronger relationship with Christ.’
Anyone who would like to support the quiz team can send contributions to: Cove Run Free Methodist Church Bible Quiz Team, 345 Yauger Hollow Road, Lemont Furnace, Pa. 15456.