SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — “Just trust” is a simple message, but it's one that Emily Burkhead lives by daily.
Burkhead, an 18-year-old member of First Baptist Church in Cleveland, Texas, won the top prize in the speaker part of the national Bible drill and speaker competitions in San Antonio with a short lecture that encouraged people to trust God to work in every person's life.
The competitions are sponsored by a group of Baptist state conventions. The Baptist General Convention of Texas played host to this year's round.
God sees the larger perspective of how each life fits with others to accomplish his will, her speech says. Individuals need to trust God to guide their lives, rather than relying solely on their vantage point and their dreams.
“But I know the one who is the keeper of all dreams, and I strive to keep my eyes focused on him, trusting every step of the way,” the speech concludes. “I hold firm the promise God made to King David, that 'his unfailing love surrounds those who trust in him.'”
Burkhead's parents said that her words reflect the passion of her heart. She had just come back from spending a week at Super Summer, a weeklong youth event sponsored by the BGCT's evangelism department, when she delivered her speech.
Prior to attending Super Summer, Emily and her father, Howell Burkhead, had taken a trip to Chicago. There, Howell — who is pastor of the Cleveland church — watched Emily regularly give cash to the homeless, and try to tell many of the people she met about Jesus.
By putting into action the principles she spoke about, Emily Burkhead achieved the goal of the competition.
Youth take the biblical principles they learn for competitions and apply them to their lives, said Dickie Dunn, director of discipleship for the Baptist General Convention of Texas Bible Study/Discipleship Center.
Participants memorize biblical passages and speeches based on Scripture for the competitions, but more importantly they internalize the messages, Dunn continued. Because of it, he claimed, the competitors become stronger Christians.
“It focuses kids on the right thing,” Dunn said. “When you read, study and memorize Scripture, your whole perspective changes.”
Other participants of the competition agreed that their involvement helped develop their Christian characters.
Kimberly Hayes, a 15-year-old member of Little Brasstown Baptist Church in Murphy, N.C., who competed in the speaker contest, said her participation was a step forward in strengthening her leadership skills. It also gave her strength to resist temptation, she said.
Linnea Ison of Parkway Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla., whose son Adam participated in the Bible drill competition, said the memorization and study give youth answers to doctrinal and life questions — providing them with a foundation.
Representatives from 10 states participated in the events. Daniel Hill of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Eldorado, Ark., won first place in the Bible drill competition. Katie Mitchell of Sardis Baptist Church in Lumber City, Ga., took second. Jordan Helms of Harp's Crossing Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Ga., was second to Burkhead in the speaker contest.
Dunn praised the hard work of each participant and said the impact will go beyond an award — it will build character.
And although Emily Burkhead said she was “shocked” to win, her parents indicated they've always known she had a passion for God.
At the announcement that she won first place, Emily Burkhead and her mother jumped from their table and hugged each other. Tears rolled down her father's face. “I'm so proud, it couldn't be put into words,” Howell Burkhead said. “She loves Jesus with as pure a heart as when she was 6 years old.”
Tileta Burkhead later called the victory the cap to an “amazing year” for her daughter, who also was valedictorian of her high school class. She will be using the scholarship she won in the state competition to attend the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. She also was given a trophy and $400 from the BGCT Bible Study/Discipleship Center in recognition of her victory.
Emily's mother said she looks forward to being with her daughter as the Lord continues working in her life. “She's a strong Christian young lady, and the Lord has many plans for her,” she said.
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