Archived Updates July 2008 June 2008 Late May 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 February 2003 January 2003 December 2002 November 2002 July 2002 June 2002 May 2002 April 2002 March 2002 February 2002 January 2002 December 2001 November 2001 July 2001 June 2001 May 2001 April 2001 March 2001 February 2001 January 2001 December 2000 October 2000 September 2000 July 2000 June 2000 May 2000 March 2000 February 2000 January 2000 December 1999 November 1999 October 1999 September 1999  

FREE METHODIST BIBLE QUIZZING LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

In 1988, Dave Markell (Director of Free Methodist Youth Ministries) approached me about serving as Denominational Bible Quiz Director. His health was declining and soon he would need to resign from his position. After prayer, I accepted his offer. My life had been profoundly affected by the three years I competed as a quizzer, and I was glad to volunteer my time to lead this ministry.

In the twenty years since that time, I have served as denominational Quiz Director for a total of 15 years. Initially I served for 6 years, and then, after a five year break, served another 9 years. What a blessing it has been to see Free Methodist youth across our nation and in several other countries study, memorize, and apply God’s word to their lives. The Bible Quizzing ministry has been a tremendous source of blessing in my life.

Quizzing provided me spiritual growth: Were it not for my three years of quizzing as a teen, I doubt I would be a Christian today and certainly not serving the Lord as a pastor. Those quizzing years were a time of great spiritual growth in my life, and the scriptures learned then still come to mind and guide my life today.

Quizzing provided me with a wife: While I was attending Asbury Seminary and directing quizzing for the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference, at regional tournaments I met a wonderful quiz coach from Hookstown , PA who later became my wife.

Quizzing provided meaningful discipleship for my children: All three of my children competed at least 6 years in quizzing and learned and memorized many scriptures. While four national championships in various divisions were won by them, what will last is God's word that has been planted in their hearts. Quizzing provided a good format for our family to study God's word together.

Quizzing provided me with many rich and meaningful friendships: Many of my best friends are serving in the ministry of Bible Quizzing. Our common desire to see youth grow spiritually through studying and applying God's word and the opportunity to visit at monthly tournaments has helped develop and sustain those relationships.

At this time, the Bible Quizzing ministry is facing another transition in leadership. After much thought, prayer, and consideration, I have decided to resign as Bible Quiz Director - effective July 11, 2008 (at the close of the 2008 Bible Quiz Finals). With the continued growth in the local church ( Fillmore , MN ) where I serve as pastor and the need to invest more time in ministry there, and with our last child graduating from high school, and with the preparedness of a successor to lead this ministry, a time for change has come.

The Board of Bishops recently accepted my resignation as Denominational Bible Quiz Director, and approved of Eric Young as Denominational Bible Quiz Director, both effective July 11, 2008 .

I believe that Eric will provide quality leadership for this ministry as he works with a great team of regional directors. Let me tell you about Eric:

–As a teen, Eric quizzed three years for the North Chili-Pearce (NY) Church.

–Eric is an ordained elder in the Genesee Conference and appointed to the Parma (NY) Church.

–Eric has served as Director of Quizzing for the Genesee Conference and for the Northeast Region.

–For 5 years, Eric has co-directed the running of Bible Quiz Finals.

–For two years, Eric has served with me as Co-Director for the Bible Quizzing ministry.

–Eric is well-known and respected among quizzing leadership across our nation.

–For the past couple years, I have been mentoring Eric and gradually turning more and more responsibilities of the quizzing ministry over to him.

I encourage you to pray for Eric as he assumes leadership of this important ministry and serve along side of him to accomplish Quizzing’s mission "to instill Biblical truths in the hearts of teens, establish them in their faith, and prepare them for Christian service through the systematic study, meaningful application, and memorization of the Word of God."

The quizzing ministry and people involved will continue to have a special place in my heart and in my prayers.

Mike

Mike Hopper - Co-Director

Free Methodist Youth Bible Quizzing

LEADERSHIP TRANSITION: Effective July 11, 2008, Eric Young will become the new director of Free Methodist Youth Bible Quizzing. The Board of Bishops has approved Eric to replace Mike Hopper who is "retiring" after leading the ministry for 15 of the last 20 years.

• 2008 Bible Quiz Leadership Transition Letter.
• Mike Hopper's Bible Quiz Experiences.
• Eric Young's Hall of Fame induction page.