Inter-America’s 2012 Bible Boom final results; South Colombia takes the win

December 8, 2012 – Champ Fleurs, Trinidad…Libna Stevens/IAD

Victor Manuel Jaimes of the South Colombia Union holds the Caleb Award Trophy after taking the win at this year’s Inter-America’s Bible Boom final competition, held at the Mt. Dor Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Champ Fleurs, Trinidad, on Dec. 8, 2012. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

Victor Manuel Jaimes of the South Colombia church region was the winner of this year’s Inter-America Bible Boom. Jaimes, the first Bible Boom winner from south Colombia, finished the final round with 180 points. The final took place today at Mt. Dor Seventh-day Adventist Church in Champ Fleurs, Trinidad.

Eliasib Mojica of Central Mexico and Esther Alvarado from North Mexico both finished with a score of 180 points as well and tied for second place 16 seconds behind Jaimes.

All 22 Bible Boom competitors answered questions on the books of Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, and Galatians in front of a live audience of more than 300. The event was streamed live over the internet in English, Spanish and French.

This year’s finale began with two first rounds of 11 finalists each. Then the top ten advanced to the second and final round. It was a decision that was made for technical reasons and accuracy.

“With our [Inter-American] Division up to 22 regions this year, we wanted to ensure that all our finalists had enough personnel to assist in case of technical issues with our computer network,” said Pastor Benjamin Carballo, youth ministries director for the church in Inter-American and organizer of the event.

“I am so proud of each one of you,” said Carballo to all 22 finalists before announcing the winners. “You are a powerful generation and we want you to continue fulfilling the mission of the church while lifting up the Word of God, praying, and testifying wherever you go,” he added.

The coveted Caleb Award will belong to the South Colombia Union, headquartered in Bogota, Colombia.

Scores of the final round of questions during the Bible Boom today. Image by Juan Carlos Niño.

Jaimes, 25, received a US$4,000 scholarship to the University of Southern Caribbean (USC) in Trinidad, an iPad and a first place award medal. Jaimes also becomes Inter-America’s Youth Embassador in charge of promoting the Bible and youth ministries throughout the Inter-American Division territory.

Mojica, 23, was awarded a US$2,000 scholarship to the University of Southern Caribbean, a tablet and a medal as well as Alvarado, 26. Last year, Alvarado grabbed the second spot for her church region.

For Jaimes, a student at Colombia Adventist University, getting to Trinidad and scoring a total of 445 points during the final competition was a wonderful experience.

“I’m so thankful for the opportunity that God and the church has given to me,” said Jaimes. “I am so blessed to have gone through this Bible Boom and look forward to encouraging the youth to study the Word of God.”

Jaimes, as well as the 21 other finalists, had to advance through four levels of competition – local church, regional, conference, and union – to reach today’s finale.

Jaimes said he has always had a special interest in prophecy and Biblical languages.

Next year’s Bible Boom finale is scheduled to take place on December 7, 2013, in Cuba, and will cover the books of Ephesians and Hebrews and every book in between.

To see photos of Inter-America’s 2012 Bible Boom event, visit our photo gallery soon at www.flickr.com/photos/interamerica/

For more on Inter-America’s Youth Ministries department resources and activities, visit http://youth.interamerica.org/