One local church is using their Bible knowledge to advance in a competition on the district, diocese and possibly national level.

Vicksburg Church of Christ (Holiness) USA, 1720 Grove St., won the Southwest Mississippi District Bible Bowl two weeks ago here in Vicksburg. Winning this competition advances the local church team to the next level.

“We’re very well prepared,” Rosie Batchelor, the pastor’s wife, said. “We feel that we’re going to win, and we’re excited.”

During the Bible Bowl Competition, church teams of children and adults are quizzed on scripture. Every year the chosen scripture is announced at the national convention in June. This year’s scripture is St. Mark: 6-9 from the King James Version of the Bible.

“It was various questions out of those books,” Batchelor said.

About three months ago, some of the younger church members began studying every week with Sis. Shelia Stewart. Vicksburg hosted the district competition with Sis. Cynthia Banks serving as quiz master.

“The quiz master is the person calling out the questions,” Batchelor said. “She’s a member of Vicksburg Church of Christ.”

The Vicksburg church competed with Temple Church of Christ (Holiness) USA of Port Gibson, White Oak Church of Christ (Holiness), USA of Utica and Fairview Church of Christ (Holiness) USA of Carpenter. Teams were made up of members of the congregation from children to adults. Vicksburg’s team has 23 members.

Now with the district title under their belt, the church will compete on the regional level at the Diocese Bible Quiz with six other Mississippi district teams. The competition will be Saturday, Feb. 27 in Pearl.

“We are looking to bring the trophy back to this district from the diocese,” Batchelor said.

If the church does win, they will move on to the national level competition this June in Dallas. She said the church goes every year.

“This is something that we’ve done for many years,” Batchelor said.