Monterey — Monterey First Baptist Church is participating in the 2009 children’s Bible drill competitions. The purpose of the Bible drill program is to help increase the knowledge of the Bible, develop skills in location Bible books and key passages, to memorize the names of the books of the Bible in order and to learn how to apply the Bible to everyday life.

The children involved in this program practice and study for a year in the preparation for the dills scheduled in the spring.

Bible Skills, Drills and Thrills is a 36-week program that provides training in Bible skills in a fun format. Games, puzzles, crafts, drama, music, computer games and other fun activities are all a part of this Bibles skills development program.

The children competing are in fourth through sixth grade. Children in younger grades do participate in the training.

The Monterey First Baptist Church had its church drill on March 29. Competing in this drill was Payton Grimmet, Madision Grimmett, Rachell Seabolt, Tylee Ann Mooore, Molly Rose Cowan, Austin Campbell, Zach Dalton Campbell and Braden Passinger. The judges were Mary Lee, Bernadette Young and Jackie Gray. The timekeeper was Liz Passinger and the caller was Sherri Cather.

To qualify for the Ouachita Association Bible Drill the participants had to score 12 or fewer mistakes.

The association drill was April 5. Competeting in the drill was Payton Grimmett, Madison Grimmett, Seabolt, Cowan and Moore. To qualify for the statewide Bible drill, the participants must score eight or fewer mistakes.

The Louisiana state drill will be at 8 a.m. on May 2 at Louisiana College in Pineville. Qualifying for that drill is Payton Grimmet, Rachell Seabolt and Moore. Grimmet and Seabolt were 2008 state winners.