JAY VINCENT

1. What years did you quiz?
   1981-1987
2. Where and for what church did you quiz?
   Island, IL and North Anderson, IN
3. What were the highlights of your quizzing years?
   National finalist for team 3 times with one national championship. One national finalist in individuals. 2 conference individual championships
4. Did you or your team win any championships? If so, what and when?
   Our Island team won STR in 1986.
5. Did you receive any other special quizzing awards? If so, what?
   Three best balanced team awards. Several second and third finishes
6. What was your favorite scripture? Why?
   " Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (I Corinthians 9:19-27)
   Paul's lifelong passion was to save some and keep himself pure. In life we have many goals, aspirations and accomplishment, but none more important than Paul's defined purpose.
7. How did quizzing affect you as a teen?
   I am a living, breathing example of Isaiah's claim that the Word of God will not return null and void. Throughout my teen years I tended to want to wander away from God and church, but quizzing kept me near. As much as I wanted to do other things I liked quizzing better. Remaining in the Word kept me grounded and near God even when I didn't want to.
8. What difference has quizzing made in your life to this day?
   The Scripture never leaves. The knowledge of Scripture has helped over and over in ministry. With the foundation of Bible quizzing I have gained great respect for God's Word. It has become one of my greatest pasions: teaching others the love and appreciate Scripture.
9. Are you presently involved in Bible quizzing in any way or have you since you were a quizzer? If so, how?
   I have served as the Mideast Regional Quiz Director and Wabash Conference Director. Currently I am coaching the YTR team from Aldersgate.
10. What ministries are you currently doing? How are you presently active in serving the Lord?
    I pastored for 15 years in the Free Methodist Church. Currently I am on hiatus.