The
coaches of First Apostolic’s Jr. Bible Quizzing program are Gary and Rachel
Kufel. They have been involved with this vital children’s ministry since
2003.
Jr. Bible
Quizzing is separated into two divisions. The Experienced Division is for
children up to the age of 12. The Beginners Division is for children up to
the age of 8. Besides age, the primary difference between the two divisions
is the amount of verses required and the complexity of questions.
After the success of the
2008 season, Naomi Kufel, Greg Patrisso, Jeffrey Wonder, and Cody Nagley
concluded their eligibility in Jr. Bible Quizzing. With them departed a
combined 14 years of experience. Therefore the 2009 edition of Toledo JBQ
represented a year of rebuilding and reloading for future success.
Jared Kufel and Rachael
Morrin would become the “veterans” of the team as they returned for their 2nd
year in the Beginner Division. They were joined by three brand new quizzers:
Tyler Lowery, Jordan Lowery, and Kole Gross. While collectively these
quizzers had little experience, they more than made up for it with their
youthful enthusiasm. From the beginning of training camp in the fall it was
readily apparent that these children not only had a desire to memorize God’s
word, but also were anxious to learn the game of Jr. Bible Quizzing and
improve their skills.
Kole Gross and Jordan
Lowery began the season as novices competing in the Junior Division. They
would be going up against many seasoned teams that had 3-4 years of
experience compared to them; therefore expectations would need to be
realistic. Last year’s Junior teams brought home an abundance of hardware
with many team and individual trophies. This year the most important
emphasis for them would be on memorizing their verses, consistent and
accurate quoting, and just learning the game.
From their very first
tournament Kole and Jordan began to exceed those early expectations. At “The
Sooner, The Better” Invitational in Indiana they brought home the first team
trophy with a Fourth Place Finish. Kole Gross made his first of what would
be six All-Tournament teams. He finished the season with the 5th
highest scoring average in Ohio at 54 points per quiz. The team finished a
respectable Seventh Place at the North Central Extravaganza in Moline, IL.
Their best tournament was in Lancaster where they finished with the Second
Place trophy. They would spend the rest of the year routinely on the cusp of
a team trophy with several fourth and fifth place finishes. Although they
did not qualify for the National Tournament they certainly gained valuable
experience that will serve as motivation for continued progress in 2010.
Tyler Lowery joined Jared
and Rachael for their last year in the Beginner Division and they made it a
memorable one. From the experience gained in their first year and the
addition of a new teammate they became much more of a team with each quizzer
fulfilling a unique role. They started the year just missing out on a trophy
at “The Sooner, The Better” Invitational, and after two Second Place
finishes in Ohio they quickly learned who their competition was and what it
would take to beat them. Rather than becoming discouraged or intimidated
from their inexperience they took advantage of the opportunity to improve.
It was a marvel to watch
this team progress from the beginning of the season to the end. They would
go on to take First Place trophies at the next two Ohio Tournaments, gain a
Second Place finish at the North Central Extravaganza, become State
Champions, gain another Second Place finish of the Tournament of Champions,
and conclude the season as the Fifth Place team in the nation at the North
American Tournament in Branson, MO.
Jared captained the team
with the 2nd highest scoring average in the State with 105 points
per quiz. He was voted as Ohio Runner-up Quizzer of the Year for the
Beginner Division. In tournament action he was the Highest Scoring
Individual at the North Central Extravaganza, State Finals, and Tournament
of Champions. He concluded the year as the Second Highest Scoring Individual
at the National Tournament. Tyler and Rachael, despite being new to the game
and learning how to be competitive, filled valuable roles that enabled the
team to get off to a strong start. They finished with the 7th and
8th highest scoring averages in Ohio at 24 and 21 points per
quiz, respectively. One of the great team moments of the year came at State
Finals when all three quizzers placed on the All-Tournament team. Also at
that tournament, Coach Gary Kufel was voted as the Ohio Beginner Division
Coach of the Year.
For a group of young
quizzers with little competitive experience they exceeded expectations for
the year and leave much to be excited about as they all return for the 2010
season. If you are a parent who desires that their children have a daily
relationship with God through His Word, if you are looking for a
Christ-centered activity that unites your family deeply in scriptural
truths, then you must consider joining Jr. Bible Quizzing—The most
successful children’s ministry in the United Pentecostal Church!
