NORMAN PARK - Olivia Neeley has a fear of public speaking.

Just before going on stage, the 17-year-old thinks about the many eyes about to be on her. Judges are watching how she articulates her words, makes eye contact and communicates with gestures. Each minute detail is scrutinized.

Her palms sweat. Butterflies dance in her stomach. She has trouble breathing.

Four to six minutes later she's fine, as evidenced by her first-place finish at the 2005 Georgia Baptist State Youth Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament held May 14. The event took place at the Georgia Baptist Convention Center in Norman Park.

"Walking on stage or to the podium is nerve-wracking because I'm focused on the people," she says. "However, when I get started on my speech, I'm focused on the message.

"[Preparing] this speech has strengthened my walk with the Lord by delving more into the Bible about the topic," says Neeley, a member of Harp's Crossing Baptist Church in Fayetteville. "Presenting my speech has definitely been a learning experience on how to overcome my fear of public speaking."

A total of 67 youth out of ten regions participated in the tournament. Grades seven through nine appear in the Bible drill while those in grades 10-12 participate in the speakers tournament.

Neeley won the speakers portion with her speech "Guarding Your Mind." Micah North of Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta was the runner-up with his speech "How to be a Success for God."

In the Bible Drill, Ethan Bloodworth of Northridge Baptist Chruch in Macon was co-champion with Kayla Ray, a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Carnesville. Kaylyn Wilson, a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Flower Branch, was the runner-up

Maria Brannen, a consultant with Discipleship and Family Ministries of the GBC, says she is living proof of the lifelong payback for youth involved in the competition.

"I grew up in Bible drill and speakers tournament. I've been a part of it since probably around sixth grade and learned verses that to this day have helped me in times of crisis. I learned from my leaders that God's word has real-life application."

Brannen notes that, on a practical level, participants learn poise, confidence and how to stand in front of people.

"We've seen children come up through Bible drill and they've grown into remarkable young men and women," she says.

Having eight seconds to find a book of the Bible isn't easy (Try it. Quick! Haggai!). For the drill, time must be put in for preparation. Most participants have a drill coach at their church, not to mention a parent helping out at home.

"I began working about two hours a week and once I memorize the verses spend about one hour a week to refresh," says Bloodworth. "The other drillers must practice searching while I memorize."

 

Hard work and help

Drillers are given 30 verses beforehand which will be called out at some point during the drill. They must memorize the particular verses and their location. Once the verse is found, the driller steps forward across a line.

Bloodworth, who is blind, is required to memorize an additional 25 verses due to the fact that the Braille Bible's sheer size is unusable in the competition.

Wilson, 14, has been involved in Bible drill for five years and credits many people in helping her memorize verses.

"We have practice every Wednesday night at church. We learn new verses and drill over and over. I also practice with our Bible drill Director Shelia Lacey, Coach Mitch Reddick and my parents."

In addition to practicing at church for an hour each week, Ray works on her verses at home with her brother and two sisters, all previous Bible drillers.

"At home, I look up the verses to get familiar with their location. My mom also quizzes me with a copy of the Bible drill card she keeps with her wherever we are," she says.

North, whose brother Daniel was the state winner in the 2003 state speakers tournament and first runner up on the national level, says the hard work to prepare has its benefits.

"Bible drill and speakers tournament is really a challenge but it's worth the effort," he notes. "Speakers tournament is a way to help you communicate with people about God and makes you think about what you are saying. It's a way for God to use you to get His message across."