July 15, 2022
As a young teen, I thought that value would come from being popular among my peers. The popular kids went to beer parties, so I wanted an invitation. . . . The invitation I ultimately received, however, was to join Bible Bowl. It changed my life forever.
July 7, 2021
National Bible Bowl director Josiah Gorman said the ministry knew there was a problem when 40 percent of their players left at the end of each season and did not return. The ministry's leaders decided it was time for some changes . . .
May 26, 2020
When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.
November 2, 2019
By Jerry Harris I have many fond childhood memories of Christmas. I remember the silver tree we set up in our front picture window. We shined a filtered light on it that changed its color to red, green, blue, and yellow. My older brother would attempt to hypnotize me by setting me in front of it. I remember getting a Close’n Play record player one Christmas that didn’t survive the day. I remember sneaking up behind my deaf uncle, who had fallen asleep in my dad’s chair; we made a huge racket, convinced he was faking not being able to
August 8, 2018
By Jim Nieman There were at least two “firsts” at this year’s Bible Bowl National Tournament: It was the first time the national event was hosted by a college—in this case, Johnson University Tennessee in Knoxville—and the Individual Written Test saw its first three-time winner: Madeline Hansen of Bear Creek Christian Church, Rochester, Minnesota. And the bad news for the other test takers? Madeline has three more years of eligibility. “What she has done is incredible,” said Josiah Gorman, executive director of Bible Bowl. “She is a very knowledgeable young lady.” Madeline has competed on the Individual Written Test for
March 29, 2014
By Daniel Schantz “I left you a little treat for breakfast,” my wife says, as she passes my study door, on her way to the grocery store. “Thanks, Hon!” I am doing my morning devotions. When my stomach begins to rumble, I wander into the kitchen and sit at the table. Sharon has set out an odd assortment of items, including a big bowl of white flour, a smaller bowl with three raw eggs in it, two cups of sugar, a cup of cold butter, a glass of lemon juice, and a glass of milk. “Hmm,” I say to myself,
March 10, 2014
By Jennifer Johnson Bible Bowl tournaments are happening in churches, on college campuses, at conventions””and in a jail in Circleville, OH. When Kevin Littler became chaplain at the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility, he wanted to create opportunities for Bible study, and believed competition could be the draw to encourage participation. Josiah Gorman, executive director at the National Bible Bowl office in Cincinnati, encouraged Littler to contact Bill Thomas, the new minister at nearby Northridge Church of Christ. “I know the life of a senior minister is very hectic, and I was simply hoping he could recommend a volunteer to coach
February 19, 2013
TUESDAY, JULY 9 8:30 a.m.””Preconference events (some are ticketed) Noon””Exhibit Hall opens 7:00 p.m.””Evening Main Session (Matt Proctor speaking) 8:30 p.m.””NACC President”s Opening Night Reception 10:00″”Exhibit Hall closes WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 7:30 a.m.””NACC Ministry Networking Breakfast (ticketed) 8:30 a.m.””Bible Study with Mark Scott 9:00 a.m.””Exhibit Hall Opens 10:00 a.m.””Morning Main Session (Aaron Brockett and Randy Harris speaking) Noon””NACC Seniors” Luncheon (ticketed) 1:30 p.m.””Seminars 3:30 p.m.””Seminars 5:15 p.m.””NACC President”s Banquet with Ken Davis (open to all, ticketed) 7:00 p.m.””Evening Main Session (Jon Weece speaking) 8:30 p.m.””Receptions 9:00 p.m.””Exhibit Hall closes THURSDAY, JULY 11 7:30 a.m.””NACC Ministry Networking Breakfast (ticketed) 8:30
July 18, 2012
By Mark A. Taylor It seems everyone who attended this year’s North American Christian Convention was happy about their experience. Many speak of the wonderful resort where the conference was held under just one roof July 10-13. They praise the preaching. They comment on the refreshing insights from special guests like Alan Hirsch and Reggie McNeal. They were engaged and inspired by the creative worship led by Tim Foot. They loved laughing with Chonda Pierce. And quite a few of them played golf and enjoyed the waterpark-like pools at Orlando’s World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center. And now that
March 5, 2012
By Tom Claibourne Some words just don”t seem to belong together, even though we use them that way all the time. Consider: well-known secret; jumbo shrimp (is there really such a thing?); dead livestock; objective opinion; United Nations; drive-through window (which, in reality, would require a very large window and result in a very angry building owner). Here are two more odd combinations: different and same; convention and refreshing. As much as I have appreciated my experiences at various conventions, conferences, family camps, and clinics, I have departed from most of them with some good insights and a few new
September 29, 2011
By Robert Spruill Three years from now National Bible Bowl will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Since Bible Bowl”s creation, thousands of youth have benefited from the opportunity it provides for in-depth study of the Scriptures. Each year a portion of the Bible is chosen as the text that serves as the basis for competitions at the local and national tournaments. Participants study that text for the entire Bible Bowl season, which runs from October through May, but extends into June and July for teams that compete beyond local round robin tournaments. Many players memorize all or part of the text
September 25, 2011
By Darrel Rowland A blur of scenes from the 2011 North American Christian Convention in Cincinnati . . . “¢ A pair of preachers, leaders of churches totaling about 30,000 in weekly attendance, breaking down in tears at 1 a.m. in their hotel””then taking pizza to the homeless . . . “¢ Two women riding one step apart on the escalator cackling when they realize they had worn identical blouses that day . . . “¢ Noisy protestors””including one toting a sign saying “Your Pastor Is a Liar”””occupying all four corners of the intersection just outside the main entrance to the
February 21, 2011
By Brad Dupray Dudley Rutherford is a third-generation minister who has attended the North American Christian Convention for more than 40 years. He is in a family that produces ministers: both brothers, both brothers-in-law, both uncles, and his cousins are also ministers. His ministry of 24 years at Shepherd of the Hills Church in suburban Los Angeles has challenged him to think creatively and diversely. The church has benefited, having grown from 300 to more than 8,000 during his tenure with an ethnic mix that goes beyond just reflecting his community. Dudley earned his undergraduate degree at Ozark Christian College,
February 17, 2011
By Joni Sullivan Baker How does the idea of “unleashing” teens and children sound to you? Scary, maybe! But to those planning two dynamic conventions this summer, it”s an apt idea. “Students want and need to be challenged, so they expect a convention that encourages them to be bold and “˜unleashed” for Christ,” said Phyllis Fox, director of church relations and Youth in Ministry (YiM) at Milligan College. YiM produces the NACC Student Convention. “Through dynamic speakers, vibrant worship, and challenging workshops, students will discover how God is calling them to reach their friends, family, and communities for Christ,” Fox
June 6, 2010
By Barney Wells Fred turned off the highway onto the fourth of the eight streets that make up Harpersville. Seven of them are five blocks long, and the eighth, Main Street, runs out of town as a county road. The setting sun shone on the three things that rise above the treetops in town, the old grain elevator (now closed), the water tower (which has needed a coat of paint for 20 years), and the steeple of the Harpersville Church, Fred”s destination. As he drove down Main Street toward the church, he recalled the names and faces of the folks
April 20, 2008
By Gayle Gresham On the surface, Bible Bowl appears to be a simple quiz game requiring good memorization skills and speed in answering questions, but those who participate in Bible Bowl will tell you there is much more to Bible Bowl than the game. “Students involved in Bible Bowl acquire a vast amount of Bible knowledge they can apply to their lives as they mature in their Christian walk,” says Bret Talley, National Bible Bowl director. “The knowledge, experience, friendships, and spiritual growth they gain through Bible Bowl is something they will carry with them throughout their adult lives.” Knowledge
April 20, 2008
By Dale Harlow After graduating from Bible college, I had two goals for ministry. The first, and I believe most important, was to help lost people find Jesus. The second was to help Christian people grow in their walk with the Lord through prayer, Bible study, and worship. Twenty-four years later, those goals have not changed. BIBLE STUDY IS JUST THE BEGINNING My first experience in full-time ministry was in a youth ministry position. In my efforts to find a way to encourage youth to study the Bible, I became involved in the Bible Bowl program. To this day I
February 17, 2008
By Various I first attended the NACC as the sponsor of a Bible Bowl team and I was glad for the opportunity the convention provided to challenge young people to become excited about getting into the Word. I next attended the NACC as a missionary on furlough and, after being out of the States for three years, was so blessed by being able to fellowship with people I hadn”t seen for some time. I was inspired by worshiping with thousands of other Christians. Then I attended the NACC as a representative of parachurch organizations and appreciated the opportunity the convention
November 4, 2007
Staff Report The Eastern Christian Convention will be celebrating its 40th year when it meets at the Hershey (PA) Lodge and Convention Center on Nov. 16-18. Speakers will include Bob Russell, former longtime senior minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY; Chuck Sackett of Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy, IL; and Toney Salva of Discovery Christian Church, Cranberry, PA. The convention, which begins Friday afternoon and concludes at noon Sunday, will feature four worship sessions, several workshops, an informative exhibit area, and activities for all ages: nursery, preschool, children, teens, and adults. There will be a Bible Bowl competition
September 23, 2007
By Allan Dunbar, NACC Executive Director Our flight into Kansas City was late again. But the North American Christian Convention events all during that first week in July were both on time and timely. The “It”s Time” theme permeated every moment of this annual gathering. The NACC staff works all year to meet deadlines . . . and they met all of them. About 800 volunteers from area churches showed up on time for their assignments . . . and did such a great job. Workshops started on time . . . and were extremely well attended. Worship services started
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