Kentucky JBQ History
Junior Bible Quiz began in Kentucky in 1988 under the guidance of Pastor Phil Walton, then children's pastor of Trinity Chapel in Louisville, KY.  Pastor Phil asked the District CE director if Kentucky participated in JBQ,  the director told Phil no, but if he wanted to he could start it.  He declined at first then decided to accept the challenge.  He began by making appeals to churches who already had Senior Bible Quiz, and had churches to accept the challenge.  The first tournament had to be run by the district CE as Phil was in the hospital recuperating from Open heart surgery.  The following churches participated in that first event.  Owensboro Good Shepherd, Harned Faith Community, Louisville Trinity Chapel, Frankfort First Assembly, Georgetown Trinity Assembly, and Hager Assembly. 

Later, Dennis McDonald provided Phil with a round robin schedule and things took off from there.  It was also decided at that point to use the 75% new and 25% review format for all matches.  At this point Donald Wade and Leon Krantz stepped up,  Pastor Phil knew Donald from camp and knew about his computer skills.  With Leon's help they came up with a computer program that would generate question sets in the 75/25 format.

Three more churches joined and that prompted the institution of Divisions across the state.  Jeff Walters and Stan Holder agreed and became two of the first divisional coordinators along with Phil.  This format has been one reason that JBQ has grown across the state of Kentucky.  Divisional tournaments were in place then in order to qualify for state competition.  This was replaced in 1994 with an open format which allows for every team to participate in the State Tournament, with each team generally competing against its own level of competition (i.e. on Saturday when individual results count, beginner teams play beginner teams, intermediate teams play intermediate teams, and advanced teams play advanced teams).

During the 1992-93 season the doors were opened for other denominations to join the JBQ program, and since then JBQ has really been successful.  We will soon be celebrating 20 years of  JBQ in Kentucky, what a wonderful time it has been throughout the years.

Donald Wade, long-time Kentucky Junior Bible Quiz Coordinator, passed away on Monday, August 20, 2007, at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Donald will long be remembered for his vision and impacting ministry to the lives of hundreds of young people across Kentucky by encouraging the study of God's Word.

While he is much better off, Mr. JBQ in Kentucky will be sorely missed. Among other things, Donald was known as being one of the best tournament coordinators in our nation.  Many have experienced this via the Corvette Invitational Tournament and Kentucky JBQ State Tournament.

Donald had been involved in JBQ in Kentucky since it was formed in 1989. He had been the KY State Coordinator since 1998.  Donald had a passion for Christian Education, and used every resource he had to further the teaching of the Word of God to children.

Please pray for Donald's family, specifically his mother, Mary Beltz.

Note from Joseph S. Girdler, Kentucky District Superintendent, Assemblies of God:
"With the deepest of respect for all that Donald Wade has done for the Kentucky Junior Bible Quiz Programs throughout the years, and knowing that the new season begins in just three weeks, I have APPOINTED today one of Donald's dear friends, PAUL MARKWELL, as the ACTING COORDINATOR for KY JBQ for the 07-08 season to lead us into the JBQ quizzing season ahead.  I'm sure all of KY will be praying for the Markwells and offering assistance to them in any way we can to assure the best year ahead for our quizzers.  Aswell, I know the entire JBQ family will be praying for Donald's family during this difficult hour."

Paul Markwell appointed as the new Kentucky JBQ Coordinator/Director

Memo from Joseph S. Girdler, Kentucky District Superintendent, Assemblies of God:
 After further discussions with others about JBQ leadership as we proceed into the days and years ahead, various announcements and discussions with people across the district regarding the Opening left void by Coordinator/Director Bro. Donald Wade's graduation to the be with the Lord, and more detailed conversations with Paul Markwell, Acting Director/Coordinator of KY JBQ, I have, upon my inquiry and invitation to him, accepted Paul Markwell's prayerful considerations in the matters and have OFFICIALLY APPOINTED PAUL MARKWELL as the new KY JBQ COORDINATOR/DIRECTOR. Patsy Dennis, our KY DISTRICT AG CHILDREN'S DIRECTOR, and myself, as Superintendent of the Kentucky Assemblies of God offer Paul our congratulations and best wishes as he takes the helm of this great ministry.

I am encouraged by Paul's willingness to accept the District leadership post for Junior Bible Quiz. Paul and Karen Markwell are highly respected ministry leaders at National and Regional JBQ levels as well as at the local church level. Their pastor has given them a very supportive endorsement in my conversation with him. I have known them personally for many years and am fully confident the vision and impact of KY JBQ is in good hands. Young people across the Commonwealth, in Assemblies of God, Baptist, and Independent churches alike will be well served by the Markwell family and Paul's leadership.