June 20, 2005

Dear Quiz Coach,

Bible Quiz Finals at Greenville College is just a few days away. I am looking forward to a great time of worship, fellowship, training, celebration, and competition with 114 of the top teams from across the United States and Japan. 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.)

May God abundantly bless you and your faithful ministry to youth.

Mike

Mike Hopper -- Director
Free Methodist Youth Bible Quizzing
(507) 352-5455 swimfast@hmtel.com

(1) REGISTRATION LINE: Coaches will register in the cafeteria of the Armington Center from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 5th. Please park in the Snyder Science Hall parking lot. Campus map: http://www.greenville.edu/admissions/tour/

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 are 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 individual quiz room. 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.

If any teams have travel complications and will not arrive by 6:00 p.m. for registration, please call Eric Young at (716-983-9171) to make alternate plans.

Note: Any coaches who registered more than one team in the same division need to make sure that their strongest team is the team # 1 and the weaker is team # 2. The competition has been set up with this assumption in mind.

(2) EQUIPPING FOR COACHES IN YOUTH MINISTRY: Every three years, the Free Methodist 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 Wednesday evening and the other on Thursday 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 Greenville.) Seminar topics include:

• Option # 1: "Understanding & Applying Romans & James" (Barry Long)
• Option # 2: "Encouraging Youth to be Sexually Pure" (Steve Coates)
• Option # 3: "Being vs Doing" (Rick Morgan)
• Option # 4: TBA

(3) WHAT TO BRING: Please make sure your quizzers bring a light jacket or sweatshirt. Also bring sunscreen and pillows. EVERYONE will need to bring sheets, blankets, towels, and pillows. LINENS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED. Bring Hawaiian clothes for the awards banquet, and appropriate quizzing and recreational clothing (See next item!). Make sure quizzers do NOT bring any "water-fight" materials or "fire-works" materials. Coaches will be held responsible if their quizzers are involved in any of these activities. Large stereo systems are also discouraged since we want to keep music levels appropriate.

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.

Greenville College does not allow skateboarding or roller blading on campus.

(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. If you would like to know if your teams is not housed in air conditioning and so needs to bring fans, please email Eric Young at fmquizzing@gmail.com .

(5) NO LINENS: No linens will be provided for anyone. You must bring your own linens--including towels, pillows, sheets, and blankets. This is the case for everyone.

(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.fmquizzing.org. 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 will soon be posted.

If you are able, Paul would like to encourage teams to e-mail him at finals@biblequizzer.com a serious digital photo of your team ahead of finals. They should name the file ###.jpg where the ### is their team ID from the team list already posted at http://www.fmquizzing.org/05finals/teamlist.shtml (Paul won't promise that he will use all of the photos, but if teams would like to pose in front of their church sign or at a practice in uniform, we'll try to use it.)

Teams are encouraged to bring and use their digital cameras as we will have the capability of off-loading their files and displaying selected photos at various events throughout the week and on the web site.

(7) TEAM 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. The "Spit-Shine" competition will be at the beginning of the Talent Show.

(8) 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 Greenville College Admissions Department staff, no additional acts will be added through the week. (Acts should be limited to 4 minutes in length.) Auditions will be in the sanctuary of the former Free Methodist Church on 8:30 - 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday following the Opening Session which is held in the same location.

(9) AWARDS BANQUET LUAU: Bible Quiz Finals will conclude with a Hawaiian luau dinner and awards ceremony. Both of these will occur in the same location (Athletic Center). In the past, youth and adults have been encouraged to dress formally. This year you are encouraged to dress Hawaiian. (i.e. flowery shirts, etc.) Quizzers are encouraged to dress nice since many photographs will be taken at the awards ceremony.

(10) DAVE MARKELL AWARD: If coaches would like to nominate a Senior for the Dave Markell Excellence in Attitude award, please submit in writing the quizzer's name, church and why you feel that senior should receive the award. This award will go to a graduating senior quizzer who has exhibited a godly attitude while striving to know and serve God. Submit this to me at registration on July 5, or e-mail me now. You can nominate any senior, not just those from your church, but the senior needs to be present at Quiz Finals.

(11) JUMP SEATS: Please DO NOT FORGET your quiz seats. If you have a broken set, bring it along also as electricians Bob Mueller and Lyle McCoon, Sr, will be available to repair sets at no cost. If you have old sets that you are not using and would like to donate them to new teams getting started, please bring those sets to Quiz Finals as well. Take advantage of this opportunity to have your quizzing equipment made ready for the new season.

(12) QUIZ SUPPLIES: At Quiz Finals, coaches will have an opportunity to buy quiz materials for next season as study begins on Romans and James.

(13) COLLEGE CONTACT: Our Greenville College contact is Tom Ackerman. His phone number is (618) 664-6509. His e-mail address is Tom.Ackerman@greenville.edu. If you have any questions about Greenville College, feel free to contact Tom.

(14) DATE FOR THE NEXT QUIZ FINALS: 2006 - Spring Arbor University (June 26-30, 2006) Spring Arbor, MI

(15) DEADLINE FOR CONTACTING MIKE: If you need to contact me (Mike Hopper), please do it by July 1st-for the next day our family plans to leave for Illinois. Until then, you can reach me at swimfast@hmtel.com or by calling 507-352-5455. Quiz Finals Co-Director Eric Young will be leaving on the same day. Until then you may contact him at fmquizzing@gmail.com or call Eric at 716-532-3680.

(16) 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.

May 26, 2005

Dear Bible Quiz Leader,

A total of 109 teams from 56 churches from the US and Japan have registered for Bible Quiz Finals. (About 600 persons are registered for this event.) The team registrations have been posted at the Bible Quiz web site at www.fmquizzing.org. Specifically the address is: http://www.fmquizzing.org/05finals/teammatrix.shtml. Please take a moment to check the web site and make sure that your teams have been accurately registered. Any corrections or changes must be submitted to Eric Young (fmquizzing@gmail.com) by June 3rd.

May God guide you and work through you as you faithfully serve our Lord.

Mike

April 15, 2005

Dear Bible Quiz Leader,

About a month ago, you received promotional information concerning the 2005 Bible Quiz Finals to be held at Greenville College. Since that time, registrations have been coming in. I want to assure you that there is plenty of room left. Here are the registration totals as of April 14th:

Eric Young (who is receiving the registrations) has just left for a mission trip to Haiti, and will not be able to answer your questions about Quiz Finals until after April 26th. Please do not direct any calls to his home during this time.

While he is gone, registrations will still be received at his house, but not processed until he returns. If you have questions before Eric returns, please direct those to me.

May God abundantly bless you and your ministry for Him.

Mike

March 16, 2005

Dear Bible Quiz Leader:

I trust you are having an enriching Bible quizzing season and that you are looking forward to participating in the exciting conclusion to this season at the Bible Quiz Finals at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois. On the web site you will find the registration forms for Quiz Finals. These need to be sent to the Quiz Finals Tournament Co-director Eric Young (in New York), postmarked by May 20, 2005.

DATES: Opening registration will be on Tuesday (July 5) from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Please note that no meals will be served on Tuesday. The closing banquet and subsequent awards ceremony will be early Saturday afternoon, July 9. Everyone will be free to head toward home Saturday afternoon. (Saturday night housing is not included.) Additional lodging at GC is available at an additional cost. (See Additional Housing Form.)

FORMS: There are four registration forms: Payment, Housing, Team, and Individual. All four of these need to be mailed to Eric Young with your payment by May 20, 2005. Also, a completed medical form for each person in your group (quizzers, adults, children) must accompany these forms. (In addition, if you need housing for extra nights or transportation from the airport, please fill out the additional form for these needs.) These forms are not attached to this letter, but can be downloaded from the 2005 Quiz Finals web page at www.fmquizzing.org/05finals/

HOUSING & MEALS: Registration for quizzers and adults is $155.00 for programming, four nights lodging, eleven meals, and a t-shirt. Housing on campus will be limited to the first 650 persons that register. After 650 persons have registered, teams will need to make their own housing arrangements at nearby hotels. ($65 of the registration fee will be refunded to those not staying on campus, and that can be applied toward the cost of the hotel rooms.) In addition, the first teams to register will have first chance to stay in the air conditioned rooms.

LINENS: Towels, sheets, blankets, and pillow cases will NOT be provided for anyone. EVERYONE will need to provide their own towels, sheets, blankets and pillows. This is a big change from the past.

CHILDREN: The rate for non-quizzing children ages 10 and under who sleep on the floor in their parent’s room is $60 for ages four to ten, and free for three and under. Non-quizzing students over 10 will pay the full amount.

TEAM QUIZZING: Each team registration will be $150. This cost covers the quizmaster expense, Quiz Finals expenses, and what it takes to run the Bible quiz ministry through the year. We may run eight divisions, with an A and a B level in each division. Please mark the appropriate division for each of your teams on your team form. (We reserve the right to move teams from A to B, or from B to A, based on their performance during the season, particularly after 16 teams have already registered for a division.) There will be no C divisions. Remember that in order to be a rookie team, the team can have only one experienced quizzer. If a team has two quizzers who have each quizzed at least one half of a year before this quiz season, then that team must be a veteran team. (Quizzing in 6th grade and under does not count toward this experience.)

SPECIAL TEAM REGISTRATIONS: Any coach wishing to register a team that is not made up of members as defined by the Rulebook must contact the Denominational Director before registering such a team. This includes teams made up of quizzers who do not all attend the same church, teams that have quizzers under 6th grade, and many other possible scenarios which may occur. Quizzers without teams can attend and be placed on a "pooled" team of like quizzers, but must compete in a "B" level division.

INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION: Please register quizzers for Individual Competition. The cost is $5.00 each. In the top Senior Teen Veteran Individual Division, scholarships to any Free Methodist College will be awarded in the amounts of $2,000 for 1st, $1,750 for 2nd, and $1,500 for 3rd place.

DISABILITIES: If you have a quizzer with a disability for whom you would like to request special consideration in the competition, please send your request as soon as possible to the denominational director for consideration. ADD is one condition that may be considered in this category.

JUMP SEATS: Quiz Seats are needed. Please bring them. Also please bring your broken down sets. Two skilled electricians have volunteered to work throughout Quiz Finals to repair jump seats at no cost to you. Let’s make sure that all our jump seats are in good working condition--not only for this tournament, but also for the coming quiz season..

QUIZMASTERS will be contacted directly concerning their participation in Bible Quiz Finals, after the Denominational Director has received recommendations from the Conference and Regional directors. A quizmaster is not confirmed until he/she has received confirmation from the Denominational Director. Selected approved staff will not be charged the registration cost.

QUIC (QUizmasters Including Coaches) quizzing will be over Matthew 5 - 10. We are asking that adults form teams and register to compete either as a team of former quizzers or a team of non-former quizzers. If there is one former quizzer on the team, it qualifies as a former quizzer team. Coaches and quizmasters are encouraged to get a team together to enjoy the fellowship. There will also be QUIC Individual quizzing--divided into two categories--former quizzers and non-former quizzers.

AIRPORT PICKUP: Transportation to and from the St. Louis Lambert Airport will be provided at the cost of $65 van trip for groups up to 12 passengers. If you need to be picked up at the airport and returned there, the cost will be $65 x 2. If a second van is needed, the cost is another $65 per van trip. You will be responsible to communicate directly with Eric Young concerning your needs in this regard and arrival/departure times. See form. (In addition, a similar arrangement is available from and to the train station in Effingham, IL for a cost of $50 per van trip.)

COLLEGE CONTACT: Our Greenville College contact is Tom Ackerman. His phone number is (618) 664-6509. His e-mail address is Tom.Ackerman@greenville.edu. If you have any questions about Greenville College, feel free to contact Tom.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES: Around Saturday noon, there will be a special dinner and subsequent awards ceremony. Tentative plans are to have a formal (dress-up) Awards Banquet in the Sport's Facilty to conclude Quiz Finals. Also several evening activities are being planning including an inflatable carnival, musical concert, and talent show, and the testimony/communion service. Recreational activities during the free time include open gym time with basketball, volleyball, soccer, ping pong, and shooting pool. Valuable seminars to better equip the adult leadership for more effective ministry to youth will also be provided.

DEADLINE: Mail all forms (including medical forms for each person in your group) and your payment (check) made out to "Greenville College" to Eric Young. It must be postmarked by May 20, 2005. Late registrations may not be accepted. Please make and keep a copy of the completed registration forms before mailing. Additional forms are available on our web site. Remember that housing on campus will be provided only for the first 650 persons that are registered. Any registrants after that will need to make reservations in area hotels.

CONFIRMATION: Please be checking our web site at www.fmquizzing.org for additional information on Quiz Finals. Updated team registrations will be posted there. The only registration confirmation will be that your teams will be posted on the web site. Corrections to team and individual registration can be made via e-mail to Mike Hopper.

Please be praying for God to touch lives in a special way at Quiz Finals. Pray for God's leadership for Eric Young and me as we co-direct this important ministry event. May God richly bless you and your ministry for Him.