Seventeen young people gathered at the Central Philippine Union Conference headquarters in Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City, for the ‘Spirit of Prophecy Quiz Bowl.’
The Quiz Bowl, represented by the delegates of the Samar Mission, West Visayan Conference, Northwestern Panay Mission, Central Visayan Conference, Negros Occidental Conference, and Romblon Mission, took place on November 9, 2024.
All questions asked during the competition were taken from Ellen G. White’s book Messages to the Young People. A highly influential American religious author and leader, she is considered a pivotal figure in the church’s history. Furthermore, her works have a lasting impact on Adventist beliefs and practices.
The Spirit of Prophecy Quiz Bowl serves multiple purposes aimed at nurturing young people’s faith and knowledge. By focusing on “Messages to Young People,” the quiz bowl encourages an in-depth study of Ellen G. White’s counsel specifically addressed to this age group.
Motivating young people to study inspirational books through the quiz challenge also deepens their spiritual understanding. It inspires them to apply these principles in their daily lives to promote spiritual growth and a stronger connection with God.
The quiz bowl featured three rounds of increasingly difficult questions: Easy, Moderate, and Difficult. In the Easy Round, the top 10 scorers advanced to the Moderate Round. The five highest scorers from the Moderate Round then competed in the Difficult Round.
The competition was fierce, with a tie between Leani Sunico from Northwestern Panay Mission and Joanne Mae from Negros Occidental Conference in the final round. Ultimately, the top three winners were:
Pastor Eldyn Toledo, D.Min., CPUC director of the Ellen G. White Study Center and Spirit of Prophecy, who presented the awards, also announced that these winners will represent the CPUC in the upcoming Southern Asia-Pacific Division-Wide Spirit of Prophecy Quiz.
In an interview, Monje recounted how she always wanted to read ‘Messages to Young People’ thoroughly but, like many of them, only made it through a few chapters without finishing.
“When I saw the poster for the Quiz Bowl, it inspired me to truly commit to reading the entire book. I prayed for God’s guidance, asking Him to give me the determination to finish it quickly and to truly absorb the valuable lessons for practical living,” Monje shared.
For her, reading the Lord’s counsel was more than just about winning the cash prize or the trip incentives. The true reward was in the messages that nurture the physical, spiritual, and mental faculties, helping her grow in service to God.
Beyond the valuable knowledge gained through preparation, the competition acted as a platform to identify young individuals who deeply understood the Spirit of Prophecy. Moreover, by recognizing their achievements, the leaders can nurture these promising minds, encouraging them toward future leadership roles within the church.