More than 125 Free Will Baptist students, parents, and youth workers from nine churches gathered in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, November 11-13, for Submerge, a youth conference for students in grades seven through college. This video shares the highlights of the weekend.

November 11-13, 2011 | Mainstay Suites | Pigeon Forge, TN

More than 125 Free Will Baptist students, parents, and youth workers from nine churches gathered in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, November 11-13, for Submerge, a youth conference for students in grades seven through college. It was worth the trip in spite of heavy holiday traffic and cool temperatures. Students were inspired, challenged, and renewed by the weekend’s activities.

Tennessee native and keynote speaker David Outlaw combined straightforward messages with an off-the-wall sense of humor and fun activities to communicate a vital message to his audience—going deeper in their Christian faith. “The messages and music were exactly what was needed,” said Conference Director Ken Akers. “Every message challenged teens to take their faith to the next level.” Alabama Music Minister Chad Donoho and his band led worship, combining classic hymns of the faith with modern choruses in a way everyone enjoyed.

During Saturday afternoon free time, the group took advantage of the many activities Pigeon Forge has to offer, from shopping and go-kart racing to ice skating and hiking in the Smoky Mountains. Some students even braved the cool fall air to ride “bumper boats” at a nearby amusement park.

When the group returned to the hotel on Saturday night, 516 slices of Papa John’s pizza disappeared quickly during Pizza Pandemonium, an event planned by Jane Franks. Jane was also responsible for acquiring a large number of door prizes that were given away to retreat participants before each group session.

Between services, students enjoyed a fast-paced mix of games, activities, and contests from a life-sized “Angry Birds” game to “Redneck Wet Suit,” sock wars, and the ever-popular balloon stomp.

“If I had to describe the conference with one word, it would be ‘Wow!’” Said Ken Akers, when asked to sum up the weekend. “From the messages to the music to the activities, it was an unforgettable weekend. I hope that youth groups across the state will start planning now to join us for the retreat in 2012.”

For more pictures, visit the TNCE Facebook Page.

Ken Akers, director of the Tennessee Christian Education Board said, “I am always proud of our competitors from Tennessee. They work hard, and it showed! Thanks to everyone who worked with them this year. I can hardly wait for 2012.”

John Daniel Newland from Joelton, Tennessee, was honored for his competitive achievements by receiving a place on the 2012 Youth Evangelistic Team. The 13-member group will travel across the United States, partnering with Home Missions churches for outreach and nightly services. They will also lead worship at the 2012 National Youth Conference in Memphis, Tennessee.

To read a complete report, visit www.onemag.org.

Tennessee Winners* – 2011 National Youth Conference

Bible Memory

Isaiah Stafford TN 0.04 – Individual Bible Memory – Grade 4 B – G 4-6 First

Noah Stafford TN 0.06 – Individual Bible Memory – Grade 6 B – G 4-6 First

McKenzie Graybill TN 0.08 – Individual Bible Memory – Grade 8 C – G 7-9 First

Katie Fields TN 0.09 – Individual Bible Memory – Grade 9 C – G 7-9 First

Chelsey Brown TN 0.11 – Individual Bible Memory – Grade11 D – G 10-12 Second

Marissa Morris TN 0.12 – Individual Bible Memory – Grade 12 D – G 10-12 First

Josiah & Grant TN 0.21 – Group Bible Memory -Grade 1 A – G 1-3 Third

Bible Sword Drill

Mack Waddell TN 0.55 – Bible Sword Drill – Grade 5 B – G 4-6 Third

Bible Bowl

Rich Acres TN 0.80 – Bible Bowl D – G 10-12 Third

Truth Quest

Elijah Stafford TN 0.91 – TruthQuest Jr Hi C – G 7-9 First

Vocalists

Megan Ledford TN 1.30 – Female Vocal Solo (Age C-D) C – G 7-9 Third

Marissa Morris TN 1.30 – Female Vocal Solo (Age C-D) D – G 10-12 Third

Jones Trio TN 2.30 – Trios D – G 10-12 First

Union Temple Quartet TN 2.40 – Quartets A – G 1-3 Third

Xample TN 2.60 – Choir (13+) D – G 10-12 First

Instrumentalists

Elijah Stafford TN 3.20 – Brass Solo C – G 7-9 Second

Raygan Sellers TN 3.30 – Bowed String Solo B – G 4-6 First

Erika Kirkpatrick TN 3.30 – Bowed String Solo C – G 7-9 First

Shady Grove Strings TN 4.10 – IE (2-4) D – G 10-12 Second

Matthew Pinson, Jr. TN 5.10 – Keyboard Solo A – G 1-3 Second

Anna Pinson TN 5.10 – Keyboard Solo B – G 4-6 Second

Brandon Presley TN 5.10 – Keyboard Solo C – G 7-9 Second

John Daniel Newland TN 5.10 – Keyboard Solo D – G 10-12 First

Sign Language

Anna Snow TN 6.11 – Individual Sign Language C – G 7-9 Second

Silent Voices of Praise 2 TN 6.12 – Group Sign Language A – G 1-3 Second

Drama and Puppetry

Jackson Watts TN 6.41 – Individual Drama A – G 1-3 Third

Raygan Sellers TN 6.41 – Individual Drama B – G 4-6 Second

Elizabeth Newland TN 6.41 – Individual Drama C – G 7-9 Second

Empty Church TN 6.43 – Group Drama (3+) C – G 7-9 Third

Oak Grove Puppets TN 6.52 – Recorded Puppetry A – G 1-3 First

Oak Grove Puppets TN 6.52 – Recorded Puppetry B – G 4-6 Third

Visual Arts / Photography

Elizabeth Newland TN 7.10 – Painting C – G 7-9 First

Hannah Bracy TN 7.10 – Painting D – G 10-12 Third

Elizabeth Raymer TN 7.20 – Drawings A – G 1-3 Third

Isaac Raymer TN 7.20 – Drawings B – G 4-6 First

Hermon Phuntling TN 7.20 – Drawings C – G 7-9 Third

Erika Kirkpatrick TN 7.30 – Mixed Media C – G 7-9 First

Keylan Newton TN 7.41 – Original Computer Art A – G 1-3 Second

Elizabeth Snow TN 7.42 – Computer Graphics D – G 10-12 First

Brittney Shope TN 7.51 – Single Photo D – G 10-12 First

Calah Woods TN 7.61 – Banners B – G 4-6 First

Erika Kirkpatrick TN 7.62 – T-Shirts C – G 7-9 First

Anna Snow TN 7.63 – Needlework C – G 7-9 First

Aaron Hill TN 7.71 – Sculpted Clay D – G 10-12 First

Gema Brooks TN 7.72 – Molded Clay A – G 1-3 First

Journalism

Emily Mynatt TN 8.11 – Short Article B – G 4-6 First

Elijah Stafford TN 8.11 – Short Article C – G 7-9 First

Anna Snow TN 8.11 – Short Article C – G 7-9 Second

Dakota Kron TN 8.11 – Short Article C – G 7-9 Third

Joslin Ferguson TN 8.70 – Skit/Puppet Script D – G 10-12 First

Anna Snow TN 9.30 – PowerPoint C – G 7-9 First

*If your winning competitor’s name is missing from this list, please contact Ken Akers.

As a board, we are continuously working to create and promote events to encourage relationships for strong Christian leadership and to help Tennessee Free Will Baptists reach their towns and cities for Christ. These events are designed to bring people together for encouragement, support, and training.

If you have suggestions for the board, contact Chairman Ken Akers.

The 2012 Tennessee State Competition will be held Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 at Free Will Baptist Bible College, Nashville, Tennessee. Click on the link above for a schedule, campus map, and other important details.

Fees:
Church entry fees: $35
Event entry fees:
-Individual $25
-Group entry (2-4 people) $45
-Group entry (5 or more people) $75

For entry forms, visit www.fwbnyc.com.

Submit entry forms to:
Ken Akers
ICO: TN State Competition
PO Box 5002
Antioch, TN 37011-5002

Schedule

Friday, April 29

5:00 pm – Judges Meeting

5:30 pm – Bible Coach/Competitor Meetings (in your competition room)

6:00 pm – Bible Competition Begins

*The Awards Ceremony will take place at the conclusion of the Bible Competition.

Saturday, April 30

7:30 am Judges and Coaches Meeting (in competition room)

8:00 am Competition Begins (Music/Drama/Art – See Schedule)

*The Awards Ceremony will take place 30 minutes after the conclusion of competition.

Download a high resolution campus map.

Competition Locations (subject to change)

Bible Memorization – Johnson Classroom Bldg Rm. 101

Bible Millionaire — Thigpen Theatre

Sword Drill — Johnson Classroom Bldg Room 107

Bible Tic Tac Toe — Auditorium

Bible Bowl — Johnson Classroom Bldg Room 208

Communication Arts: Puppetry / Preaching / Sign Language — Thigpen Theatre

Vocal Ensembles, Trios, Quartets — Auditorium

Instrumental / Vocal A & B Solos & Duets — Davidson Hall Choir Room

Music Practice Room — Davidson Hall, 2nd Floor

Creative Arts — Student Center