DECATUR — The Decatur Assembly of God Junior Bible Quiz Team is headed on to the National Championship, after winning the Gulf Regional meet in Memphis, Tenn.

JBQ allows teams of students to compete in a game show style quiz over their knowledge of Bible facts and verses.

The five member team tied with four other teams to place first in the regional meet, held on April 19, 20 and 21. The GulfRegion includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and southern Missouri.

Individually, Amanda Duncan placed 11th in the meet with a total of 1,130 points, and Matt Anderson placed 16th with 955 points.

“Our team has worked and studied really hard this year and I knew that they could win at regional,” said coach Pam Anderson.

While in Tennessee, the team was able to visit Graceland, as well as Mud Island and several other local attractions, according to coach Sandy Duncan.

“I am so proud of these kids; they did a super job,” Duncan said. The team is reaping the rewards of learning God’s word and making memories, she explained.

The 2012 National JBQ Festival will be held June 7-9 in Orlando, Fla.

Community members are invited to a Nacho/Burrito Bar lunch at the church starting at 12:15 p.m., Sunday, May 20, followed by a pie auction and silent auction, to raise money for the trip to nationals.

News, Pages 11 on 05/09/2012