June 18, 2004

Dear Quiz Coach,

Bible Quiz Finals is just a few days away. I am looking forward to a great time of worship, fellowship, training, celebration, and competition with 115 of the top teams from across the United States and Mexico. There are several Quiz Finals matters for the immediate attention of attending coaches; please take special note of each one, and please pray for God's blessing and working during this special event. (If you are not attending Quiz Finals, please also remember this important ministry event in your prayers.)

Mike

1. REGISTRATION LINE: Coaches will register in the Fireside Lounge in the Student Center from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 28th. Statistician Paul Stackhouse encourages coaches to have a copy of their registration form with them during registration. (This can often help expedite the process.) He also encourages coaches to confirm which quizzers are honestly prepared and willing to participate in individuals. Each year six hours or so is spent trying to balance the rooms, and each year three or four quizzers who were "signed-up" by their coach don't end up "showing-up" at the quiz. This ends up giving an advantage to the fewer number of quizzers who are left in the room. There's no problem if quizzers want to drop out of individuals during registration, but once registration is complete, we really need them to follow-through with their commitment.
2. EQUIPPING FOR COACHES IN YOUTH MINISTRY: Every three years, the International Youth Conference is held in Colorado. During that time, youth workers have the opportunity to attend various seminars to improve their skills in serving the Lord as they minister to youth. At this Bible Quiz Finals, we are bringing some of the training of IYC to the coaches. Coaches are expected to attend both coaches' meetings--one on Tuesday evening and the other on Wednesday evening. (These are not duplicate meetings.) Each evening will begin with the sharing of information and resources for the Bible Quiz ministry, and conclude with options for more effective training in youth ministry. (You will receive more information on these seminars when you arrive at Spring Arbor.)
   Seminar topics include:
   • Option # 1: "Understanding the Gospel of Matthew" (Chuck Dillman)
   • Option # 2: "Leading Teens to Personal Faith in Christ" (Tom Jacobs)
   • Option # 3: "Developing Youth as Leaders: (Rick Morgan)
   • Option # 4: "Merging Parallel Paths" (Vaughn Robart & Bill Walters)
3. DRESS GUIDELINES-Coaches, please talk with your quizzers about appropriate dress! We ask girls not to wear low-cut tops, halter tops, spaghetti-string tops, mid-drift tops, or mini-skirts. These have been of particular concern while girls are in a quizzing position. Also, we ask guys not to wear pants that show boxers or briefs, and we ask guys to wear shirts at all times. The pool will be open at times, and swimmers are encourged to wear modest swimwear.
4. FANS: Some of the quizzers will be staying in dorms that are not air-conditioned. It is advisable to bring fans to help with the comfort level.
5. NO LINENS: Unless you are flying in or arriving by train or public bus, you will need to bring your own linens--including towels, pillows, sheets, and blankets.
6. FOLLOW ALONG AT HOME: Let your parents and church know that they can follow along with the competition on the web page at: http://www.biblequizzer.com. Paul Stackhouse will be making daily updates to the page with the results of quizzing and current standings and photos from the event. The daily schedule and other information is already posted.
7. OUTFITS: We are planning on offering a "spit-shine" award this year for the quizzing outfit that best meets the following criteria: Name of team, name of quizzer, creativity, and goes with a theme of the current quizzing material.
8. LEVEL OF QUESTIONS FOR EACH DIVISION: Please note that at Bible Quiz F inals, "A" level questions will be used only for STV-A. "B" level for STV-B, STR, YTV-A, and YTV-B. The "C" level questions will be used by both YTR-A and YTR-B. (This is slightly different from what was in the last Quiz Mail Update.)
9. TALENT SHOW AUDITIONS: Coaches will need to be prepared (when they go through the registration line) to register acts for the talent show. Since show time will be limited, and since all acts need to be previewed and approved by the admission's staff, no additional acts will be added through the week. Auditions will be scheduled in SDH 104 for 8:30 - 10:00 p.m. on Monday following the Opening Session which is held in the Free Methodist Church sanctuary.
10. ) AWARDS BANQUET NOT A BANQUET: Due to the size of our group (approximately 700 persons), we will be unable to eat together at one time. And so, instead of having a sit-down banquet and awards ceremony combined, banquet food will be served in the regular buffet line way, and following the meal, we will walk over to the Free Methodist Church for the awards ceremony. Quizzers are still encouraged to dress up since many photographs will be taken at the awards ceremony.
11. DATES FOR UPCOMING QUIZ FINALS: Over the past few months, an effort has been made to secure sites for upcoming Bible Quiz Finals. In just the last few weeks, confirmations were made for 2005 and for 2006. They are as follows:
    • 2005 - Greenville College (July 5-9, 2005) Cost: $155 Greenville, IL
    • 2006 - Spring Arbor University (June 26-30, 2006) Spring Arbor, MI
12. DEADLINE FOR CONTACTING MIKE: If you need to contact me (Mike Hopper), please do it by June 23rd-for the next day our family plans to leave for Michigan. Until then, you can reach me at swimfast@hmtel.com or by calling 507-352-5455. You may also contact Quiz Finals Co-Director Eric Young at fmquizzing@gmail.com or call Eric at 716-532-3680.
13. PRAYER: Please be praying for an outstanding Quiz Finals, where the young people are strengthened in their faith, experience loving Christian fellowship, and are encouraged to continue their study of God's Word. Please pray for the officials and quiz leaders, for the youth ministry equipping training, for safe travel, and for a spirit of unity among us. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be honored in all that takes place.