Ghana to Withdraw Bible from Courts... To Save It?

It is amazing how things can look completely different when you turn them around and see them from a new point of view. Take, for example, the practice in the courts of having a witness place their hand on a Bible and swearing to tell "The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God." Americans see this as the best way to ensure a witness will truly speak of what they saw and heard. And yet, we take it for granted that some witnesses will still lie. What is our reaction? To place a burden on the attorneys to get at the truth.

But in Ghana, the reaction has been very different. They see this as a sign that people are actually doing violence to the Bible (and other sacred books) by lying after taking an oath upon them. Their reaction? To consider removing these books from the courts, to avoid further sullying them!

THE CHRISTIAN Council and the Ghana Muslim Mission have been urged to take steps towards the immediate withdrawal of the Bible and the Quran from the courts.
They are being defamed as divine objects and symbols of worship in the churches and mosques, the advocate explained.
Nana Nanabanyin Quessy Ninsin-Imbeah II, Fante chief of Anloga/Oforikrom in Kumasi, who made the call, lamented that the rate at which people who swear on the Bible and Quran to tell the truth to the courts, but do the contrary, is disheartening.
The chief observed that this practice is sacrilegious and must be stopped by the courts before it assumes greater dimensions in destroying the social fabric.

A Brief History of Quiz Time

Quizzers in EFCA quizzing use a fairly distinctive device for detecting which quizzer gets the question. Pictured below, the Quiz Box is a bright red piece of technology that allows Quiz Masters to impartiall detect who "jumped" first. Our thanks to Ibba Glaske of Quiz Time Systems for providing an excellent history of the company that changed Bible Quizzing forever!


Quiz Time Systems - How it Began
Don Glaske, an army veteran of WWII, had studied business and was a materials handling engineer at VM Corporation, "Voice of Music" in Benton Harbor, Michigan, where record players and tape recorders were made.
He started Berrien County Youth for Christ in 1954 after attending a YFCI Convention in Winona Lake, Indiana. He did both engineering and directing the monthly Saturday night rallies for 9 years before being fulltime in YFC.
Three men would stand at the back of the High School auditorium with cards in front of their eyes to see whose head of the 20 quizzers on stage appeared above it first. A physics teacher in St. Joseph, where Ibba taught elementary art, later helped Don to make an electric box to use in the rally. Another Michigan YFC director begged Don for 3 years to make one for him...but it was too delicate and too expensive. So in 1961 he finally agreed to make a quiz box...the very first..and it had 15 seat pads and was battery-operated. (During those years, once Berrien County's senior high team and once their junior high team won the quiz finals at the YFCI Convention in Winona Lake.)
Don didn't realize it would become a business, since only YFC groups were quizzing. Then some church denominations began, and so did several schools. He made pretty much everything from scratch and almost single-handed (including sawing, gluing and covering the wood cases with red fabric), along with some help from his parents and sister. While Ibba continued teaching school another nine years, the Teenarena was built in 1968 next to their home. Quiz-O-Ramas were held one weekend before each monthly rally at the High School, and the top 20 quizzers then competed on stage.
Making the quiz boxes battery-operated was a wise decision, since they can be used indoors or outside, and no electrical adaptor is needed when used overseas.
After 20 years in YFC, the youth work became Christian Youth Ministries, Inc., still continuing the teen and family style Saturday night rallies, which included a Bible quiz every month, music, speakers, and Christian films, and Bible verse backdrops that glowed in black light during the invitation at the end of each rally.
Thirty three years of YFC/CYM Rallies were interrupted in March 1987, when Don had emergency surgery for a malignant brain tumor. He was still able to make 106 quiz boxes during his illness, and his final box was a Model 450, that a California AWANA director took to Capetown, South Africa. He died in January 1988, one month after the second surgery.
A few weeks later, Ibba decided to continue making the quiz boxes, since there were still 113 waiting orders. Many people were needed to do the various processes, and it took almost two years to fulfill the orders while also learning what Don had been able to do alone. They sometimes work in the Glaske home, in their own homes or the Teenarena. Many boxes and parts are always in the process of being built, and Model 250 is still made of particle board covered with red fabric, the same way Ibba continued making all three sizes for 10 years just like Don did. In recent years, some stages are being carried out by local companies, seat pads are now dip molded in one piece, and red plastic cases are molded by a company in Ohio.
The local CYM Quiz-O-Ramas had also resumed in October 1988, as other volunteers faithfully served as quizmasters and scorekeepers in the Teenarena. The quiz questions Don had written during 33 years of rallies (on 20 of New Testament books) can be accessed from www.quiztime.com at the end of the website about his quiz boxes they still make. During their 50th year in 2004-05 Mark and I John were studied, part of a seven-year cycle, with 3 chapters each month during a quiz season. Each year is culminated with "Quizzers' Revenge" in April, when even adults get to quiz over the last 3 chapters, learning what it's like for quizzers all year long.
Ibba Glaske is thankful Don was doing worthwhile things that could be continued, both the CYM quizzing and Quiz-Time boxes. In addition to the standard seat pad models produced for years, new handheld switches have been added in March 2005. Whether people use their equipment or someone else's, she's glad they're working with quizzers and considers it a privilege to "serve others who are serving".

Congratulations, Russ & Renee!

Okay, so this story is not technically a quiz team story, but it is close enough and a reason for everyone at our church to cerlebrate. Yesterday, Russ Boronow - former Trumbull Youth Grouper and friend of the quiz team - married Renee Hoyt in a beautiful ceremony at Calvary EFC. Congratulations to both of them, and all of our prayers for a joy-filled life together.

How Has Quizzing Impacted Your Life?

I know that Bible Quizzing had an impact on my life. I was only a quizzer for my last two years of high school - somehow I managed to miss that quiz team even existed until I stumbled across them one day as they were practicing - but it has deeply invested the word of God in my heart. Especially the books of Acts and Phillipians (the years I quizzed) have been always at my fingertips for discussions, debates, witnessing opportunities, and even just to encourage myself when I am down. I know our Quiz Team has also served as a sort of alternative Youth Group at our church. If a kid were uncomfortable with the formalized setting at Wednesday night or feared some of the cliques that can form there, s/he would come to Quiz Team where there was a chance for personal attention in a smaller group.

What has attracted you to Bible Quizzing? Or what are you looking for as you explore this site and try to learn about it? Post any questions here (click on the COMMENTS link at the end of ths story), and consider checking out this site which has some testimonies from people who were deeply impacted by quiz team, whether to deepen their walk with Christ or to find Him in the first place.

"I am not ashamed of the Gospel"

While I am not about to endorse YouthQuiz.Com, they are a site worth taking a look at. Aside from a free online Keyword List (no they don't have them up for Romans and James yet), they also have devotionals based on the books that Quizzers are working on. This one is on Romans 1:16, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." (That is an FTV for next year, by the way.)

Rachel Scott’s story reminded me of many scriptures, including one we read today. The first phrase echoes in my mind, “I am not ashamed of the gospel”(v. 16). Why is living unashamed so important? Because one life unashamed of the gospel is so powerful it can actually convince others to believe in Christ and be saved! Verse 16 tells us so, and Rachel Scott’s life proves it is true. The gospel working in her life was (and still is) powerful enough to change other’s lives!

The devotional is worth a read. And it is first taste of the profundity that is ahead of us as we study Romans next year!

Bible Knowledge Is an Educational Advantage

The Bible Literacy Project recently performed an analysis of a series of Gallup Polls and found that most student lacked a basic knowledge of the Bible.

The report, released in late April, said the teachers were convinced that students ought to know the Bible and don't. Forty of 41 agreed that "Bible knowledge confers a distinct educational advantage," the report said...Seventy-two percent of students in the survey could answer correctly that Moses "led the Israelites out of bondage," Gelernter noted, and 90 percent realized that Adam and Eve were the first man and woman in Genesis. But 8 percent of teens "believe that Moses is one of the twelve Apostles."

We often forget that the men who founded this country were devout believers steeped in the history and language of the scripture. As were most of the great philosophers and scientists for centuries. Knowledge of the Bible is knowledge of the Western World.

Feature Spotlight: Quizzers Chat Button

Have you noticed the button on the lower left of the page which says "Launch Chat"? If you click on it, it will open a new window in your browser and bring up a "Shoutbox" dedicated the Quizzer's Pad readers (presumably pretty much Quizzers and Coaches.) You can post a comment there, and see what the others on the Team have to say. The comments are persistent (i.e. they stick around even after you log off) so it is a great place to leave messages for your friends, to start conversations on important topics, or just to waste a little time over the summer. Check it out!

Calvary 2 vs. Torino Auto Body

It was another beautiful day for softball yesterday, and Calvary 2 showed that their skills and cohesion as a team is really coming along. It was a good game under somewhat foreboding skies. Click the picture below for the first set of pictures from the game.

More pictures to come tonight. Next week's game is on Friday at Long Hill Field as well. Why not come out and form a Quiz Team cheering section? Otherwise check out the Quiz Team calendar to see when the other upcoming games will be.

Psssst! Finish the Verse Aproximation!

The link went up over the weekend, but I doubt many folks noticed it. If you look in the "Important Links" section, you will see there is now one marked as "Pre-FTV List". This is a PDF file (free adobe acrobat reader required) with the Finish the Verse list from the last time Romans & James were the quizzing books. The list is probably not exactly what we'll be seeing in September, but it also shouldn't be too far off.

Oh, and for those who might be interested, the second game of the Calvary 2 Softball Team will be today at 6:30 PM at the Long Hill Field. I'll be there to get some more pictures and would be thrilled to see any quiz teamers who might be in the mood.

Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith

Plot Summary: This is the Titanic movie of the Star Wars universe. We all know where it is going to end, and we know that this end is all about tears. Anakin Skywalker will fall to the Dark Side and be transformed from Jedi Knight to Dark Lord of the Sith. The question is just how will it happen, and how many broken lives will be left in its wake. This time around we are treated to the most colorful and... well... interactive of the Star Wars space battles, upwards of 5 light saber battles, and more plot than we have seen in the last two films combined.

Spiritual Side: Parents should take the PG-13 of this film very seriously. Star Wars films have always been full of violence, but the fighting has always been clean. Even the deaths were typically clean and non-traumatic for viewers. Not so this time around. War is shown to be horrible. We see the deaths of Jedi after Jedi, we see one bad guy go up in flames, and we see Anakin slowly burned alive by molten lava. And of course, this is a film about betrayal, moral confusion, and ultimately vengence on a galactic scale. Good and evil are shown in stark terms here, but one of the key moments is seeing the hero's fall from grace.

The Bottom Line: This is a very good film. It is not a great film, not even the best of the Star Wars series. But it is a fun ride and a powerful retelling of ancient myth in a futuristic setting. If you enjoyed any of the past Star Wars movies, you will enjoy this one. If you have not enjoyed any of the past Star Wars films... well... what is wrong with you?!

Studying Tips for Quizzers

The summer is a good time for a quizzer to rest and relax... and a good time to start thinking about how one can improve their game for next year. For some, this may mean a resolution to study more. For others, a change in how they plan to study. This site has a collection of studying hints from many different quiz styles. Why not take a look and think about how these tips might help you improve your quizzing?

These study suggestions are given with the realization that they are just tools to understanding. Knowing the material is basic to an ability to quiz. If you impress this fact upon your team, the foundation for good quizzing is laid. Make sure each quizzer understands what he studies. Under- standing the Word is the key to spiritual growth which is our primary motive in the quiz program. It is also a MUST for winning in competition. Effective study must attain a balance between per sonal and group efforts.

It's early, but it's never too early to start thinking about better ways to learn the Bible. These same tips can be easily used for general Bible study, as well. Even parents may enjoy checking this out, to deepen their own understanding and appreciation of scripture.

The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul

Douglas Adams penned this title for one of his books and I think it describes the way many of us have felt for periods of time in our life. For some, these times may last a few hours. While for others, these times last for years. This got me thinking about songs that remind Christians of what we have and what we are living for. The following five songs are ones that I recommend every Christian have on their iPod or Archos music players. (Songs are listed as title, followed by the group who performed it.)

1. Wonderfully Made- The Waiting
2. In the First Light- Glad
3. Walk Toward the Light- Greg X Volz
4. Voice of Truth- Casting Crowns
5. He Will Carry Me- Mark Schultz

The first song “Wonderfully Made” is the song that I have awakened to every morning for over a year.. What better way is there to start the day than to be reminded that God made you special and he loves you very much.

(Feel free to suggest some other good songs in the comments area for this post.)

Plants of the Bible Tour

It is amazing how many interesting sides the Bible has and how many things it has to show us. One side of scripture that we rarely think about is how different the land of Israel is from America. Different plants, different animals, different weather, different geography. Even wonder what the fig tree that Zacheus climbed might have looked like? Well, it happen to in Arizona, it might be worth a trip to the Bryce Thompson Arboretum which has a "Plants of the Bible" tour.

Pomegranates, Olives, Common Fig, Palms...what do these plants have in common other than being referenced in Scripture? All grow well here in Arizona. These species are among dozens which may be seen during a walk through along the Arboretum's main trail and in the Demonstration Garden and Herb Garden collections. Would you like to see Acacia raddiana, a sturdy wood described among the construction materials used to build the Ark of the Covenant? Or see a fig leaf and judge for yourself just how much anatomy it might conceal?
"The people of the Bible were much closer to nature than we are today and were more aware of the cycles of the seasons, the weather, and the characteristics and use of plants," said Boyce Thompson Arboretum volunteer David Oberpriller, guide of our third-Saturday-each-month tour. "This is reflected in the many passages in the Bible that accurately refer to plants and agriculture."

To be clear, I have not been to this place myself. So I can't recommend it, personally. But it certainly sounds interesting, and like a nice place to stop and learn some things that Connecticut can not offer.

Star Wars as a Bible Study?

This week marks the release of what is allegedly is the last Star Wars fim ever. So, it is appropriate that one pastor in Cinncinnati is using Star Wars as the starting point for Bible study.

Jeffrey Perkins, 34, of Covenant-First Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, leads "The Gospel According to Star Wars," speaking the movie language of a younger generation to explain biblical concepts like truth, beauty and goodness, according to a feature in The Cincinnati Enquirer.
The 12-week study focuses on the original trilogy -- Episodes IV, V and VI -- and Perkins said the entire story is essentially the redemption of Darth Vader.
John Brolley, director of a religious studies program at the University of Cincinnati, told The Enquirer the Bible study represents an evangelism tool similar to what the Apostle Paul used in his day. As Paul visited communities in the ancient world, Brolley noted, he used concepts and images from the dominant culture to teach the Gospel.

George Lucas consciously drew on "the power of Myth" when writing his stories. He himself does not appear to accept the gospel as fact - though I can't claim to have spoken to him personally - but he does recognize the transforming power of it on the human soul. Perhaps even this "science fiction fantasy" is a way for God to plant the seeds of eternity in the hearts of mortals.

Profundity of the Psalms

This passage really struck me last night. A reminder that the obvious acts of being a Christian (church, quiz team, etc.) are not all that God wants. He wants us to be truly good and righteous in our everyday lives.

Psalm 50 (NIV)
1 The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.
3 Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 "Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge.

Selah

7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.
8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
16 But to the wicked, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?
17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son.
21 These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.
22 "Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:
23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."

It reminds me strongly of a quote of Jesus that he hit hard in last year's book for Quiz Team, Matthew. "I desire mercy, not sacrifice."

Calvary vs. Calvary: Calvary Wins!!!

The game of the century - well... the game of the last 24 hours, anyway - went off without a hitch last night. The Calvary teams had a fun game of competitive softball with many hits, many runs, and quite a bit of brotherly comaraderie.

Quiz Team coach Matt played well on the Calvary 2 team, and I'll be putting up a lot of pictures of the event on my Flickr site over the next 24 hours. Next game is Monday, May 23 at 6:30 PM at Long Hill Field in Trumbull.

Wondering about Quiz Team?

Are you a parent or teen wondering whether Quiz Team is something to consider next year? Why not take a look at our Introduction to Quizzing 2005 flyer? (FYI, this is a PDF document which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or another PDF reading app.) It gives a brief introduction to the EFCA style of Bible Quizzing, and some sample questions for your review. That, combined with the Team Photos linked on the lower left, can give you a good feel for how Quiz Team works.

Wrestling with God... Or Wrestling FOR God?

When I was in Youth Group, there were a lot of ways that the Youth Pastors in our area used to get kids interested in spiritual things. I can remember a Karate Demonstration (done with Carmen's "The Champion" playing the background), bowling nights, gym nights, outdoor drama presentations, handbells, and much more. Well, now a Canadian church is looking to do something I had never imagined - combining pro wrestling and outreach.

Following tomorrow's 11 a.m. service at St. Philip's Anglican Church, local rassler Hulk Hollywood will walk up to the lectern and invite the congregation downstairs for some turnbuckle-shaking action.
"I want the church to be sort of cool and hip. Tradition is fine, but let's get on with it," said David Bain, a congregant at St. Philip's who does outreach work for the church..."Everyone wrestles with God in one way or another," said Bain. "Wrestling has always been about the classic battle between good and evil."

I have to admit it isn't my cup of tea. But then, Paul said, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." (1 Corinthians 9:22)

We're Talkin' Softball...

The Bible Quizzing Season may be over for the year, but the Softball Season is just starting! This year, Matt (most stylish of our coaches) will be playing on the Calvary 2 softball team lead by softballista and former Quiz Teamer Rob "Home Run Derby" Corica. Their first game of the year will be this coming Monday, May 16 at 6:30 PM at Tashua field in Trumbull, and as an added bonus it will be a subway series as they are playing against the other Calvary Softball team for bragging rights. (Yes, I am aware that ONE GAME is technically not a series.) Come on out and support Matt! Prizes WILL be awarded for the most creative cheer.

Directions to Tashua: (Gratefully borrowed from a soccer site) Merritt Parkway (15) to Route 25 North (exit 49). Continue for approx. 4 miles to end of expressway. Go straight through light, staying on Route 25, for about . 5 miles. Take left onto Tashua Road and follow for about .5 miles. Take left into Tashua Knolls Golf Course and follow road past the clubhouse all the way to the back.

World Bible Quiz crowns a new Champion

It isn't our brand of quizzing, but Israel has awarded the championship for its World Bible Quiz to Shmuel Halpert. The World Bible Quiz is held each year to "encourage a development of the Jewish identity".

Sixty-five Israeli youngsters, aged 14-18, were among the contestants. Forty others were from various Diaspora countries, including Belgium, Uzbekistan, Austria, Ukraine, Brazil, Germany, Panama, Venezuela, Bulgaria, and others...Segments of the contest were devoted to short films depicting the songs of the late Naomi Shemer, one of Israel’s greatest national songwriters. She is best known for her ballad “Jerusalem of Gold," written just before the outbreak of the Six Day War. The films displayed images of disadvantaged Israelis struggling to overcome their disabilities...Competition was particularly fierce this year, with three Israeli youth making it into the finals.

I doubt they will be studying the Gospel of Matthew or Paul's Epistle to the Romans any time soon for this competition.

"The Bible Game" for GBA and PS2

Several years back, a few of our kids stayed overnight for Midwinter Quiz at a home which had some Bible-based games for the old Nintendo Entertainment System. "Bible Adventures" was an underwhelming attempt to market a non-threatening game to parents desperate for some game without a violent theme. Not exactly a game that demanded a follow-up. But it seems someone is willing to try.

The Bible Game for PlayStation 2 casts players as contestants on a game show with fast-paced, "beat the buzzer" action and a comical off-screen announcer as emcee. 20 mini- and micro-games with 1,500 questions reinforce inspirational Old Testament teachings such as Jonah and the Whale, David and Goliath, The Tower of Babel, and many more. Multiplayer mode for up to 4 players encourages family members of all ages to play together, and provides a fun alternative for family game nights...The Bible Game for Game Boy Advance combines action/adventure play style with trivia challenges.

Here is hoping that the concept has gotten better with age. If the questions are even semi-challenging, it might work. But color me skeptical.

Bible Literacy Class Unconstitutional?

This is not directly related to quizzing, but something we thought Bible Quizzers would find interesting. Apparently, a school in Texas has decided to bring into its curriculum a "Bible Literacy" course, to help its students have a better understanding of the book and its historical context. Well, now several groups are attacking the school system for allegedly violating the separation of church and state.

Odessa school officials say they are walking a narrow path to ensure the proposed course meets educational and constitutional requirements.
"This will be an academic elective on biblical literacy, not a devotional," said Odessa Superintendent Wendell Sollis. "We have no intention of proselytizing. ... You really have to educate people about what you can and can't do."...
"There's an awful lot of people in this town convinced that they're going to get Jesus taught in the classroom, a tool for evangelism. And that concerns people like me," said David Newman, an English professor at Odessa College who opposes the new Bible course. He is Jewish.

When I was in high school (back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth) there was a "Bible as Literature" course. I did not take it, but the kids who did found the course challenging and not "religious" at all. Rather, it gave those without a religious background an understanding of the basic characters and stories that served them well in studying ancient literature, art, and great speeches. Here is hoping that the critics take an honest look at the course, and can conclude that understanding the Bible is central to understanding Western History.

Former Quiz Teamer Returns from Serving in Iraq

The Trumbull Times has up an article on former Quiz Teamer and current soldier Brian Stempien, who has recently returned home from service in Iraq. Brian once made us proud with his Bible Knowledge, and now makes us proud by serving his country and the Lord in Iraq.

This is a picture of Brian's Quiz Team. He is third from the left. Click the picture for a larger version. (Though not MUCH larger - this is from before digital cameras.)

High Gear 2005 Theater

One more High Gear 2005 story for us. If you enjoyed the photos linked below on the left, then you will enjoy a little video slideshow put together for our Youth Group. QuickTime is required.

For the record, the audio underneath this slideshow was the real audio from the Calvary Girls Ensemble singing at the closing rally.

High Gear 2005 Report!

It is Spring and that means not only that flowers are blooming and the allergies are booming, it also means it is time for High Gear (formerly known as Round-up). High Gear is the annual Youth Conference for the Eastern District of the Evangelical Free Church of America, and a chance for teens to showcase their many and varied talents. This year’s event saw 31 teens and 6 sponsors (as well as many other family members along to show support) joining over 300 teens from all over the district in Hershey, PA.



The event started off on Friday with the final Quiz Meet of the year for the church’s Teen Bible Quiz Team, represented by both a Lower Division (7th thru 9th grade) and an Upper Divison (10th thru 12th grade) team. Competing against teams from Essex Fells, NJ, Montgommery, NJ, Creskill, NJ, Dallas, PA, Hershey, PA, Lancaster, PA, and elsewhere, the round robin tournament ended with the Upper Team not in the top 3, but with the Lower Team tied with two other churches for 2nd! A historic 3-way-quizzoff was then held which ended up in 2 overtimes before finally Calvary’s teens wound up in third place for the Lower Division.



Friday night began the Event for the rest of the Youth Group. After a rally featuring a South African dance troupe and guest speaker Jeff Klein, the teens went off to either compete in their various areas of talent or to support those who were competing. Friday night saw 4 of our groups competing: the Calvary Dance Team, two quizzers in a drama called “The Bus Stop”, two other youth group girls in a vocal duet, and a trio of girls performing a skit based on replacing the lyrics of popular rap songs with Christian lyrics. After each performance, the judges rated the performers and gave live feedback to the teens on what worked well and what they could do to improve their work.



Saturday began bright and early with yet more performances, most notably that of the Calvary Girls Ensemble who reportedly was told by their judges “Point of Grace had better be watching out for you ladies!” Saturday also saw the judging of the many items entered into the Art category by our teens, including oil and watercolor paintings, calligraphy, and ceramics, along with a poem entered into the Written category. Alongside these Festivals were a series of Workshops designed to give teens new skills in everything from Pottery to Missions to “Building a Chuch Website” and beyond. The event ended out with another Rally where the Dance Troupe, Speaker, and Worship Band demonstrated in word and deed that any talent can be used for God. And it was another chance for our teens to shine, as the "Bus Stop" Drama and the Calvary Girls Ensemble were asked to perform for everyone at the rally.



High Gear 2006 will be held April 21-22, 2006. Now is the time for your teen to start thinking about how their talents could be used for God and entered for competition. With categories ranging from bible quizzing to vocal to instrumental to dance to written to art to multimedia to worship band to drama to public speaking, there is room for almost any talent under heaven. Please contact the Calvary Youth Ministries Team if you need more information on how you can get involved.