Posted: 6/25/04
Texan wins national contest
with simple speech about trust
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
SAN ANTONIO–“Just trust” is a simple message, but it's one that Emily Burkhead lives by daily.
Burkhead, an 18-year-old member of First Baptist Church in Cleveland, won the top prize in the national Bible speaker competition in San Antonio with a short lecture that encouraged people to trust God to work in each life.
God sees the larger perspective of how each life fits with others to accomplish his will, Burkhead said. Christians need to trust God to guide their lives rather than relying solely on what they can see or on their individual dreams.
“But I know the one who is the keeper of all dreams, and I strive to keep my eyes focused on him, trusting every step of the way,” she concluded. “I hold firm the promise God made to King David, that 'his unfailing love surrounds those who trust in him'” (Psalm 32:10).
| Emily Burkhead of First Baptist Church in Cleveland, who won the speaker competition, signs the Bible of Daniel Hill of Eldorado, Ark., who won the Bible drill competition. |
Burkhead's parents indicated her words reflect the passion of her heart. She was fresh from a week at Super Summer, a weeklong youth event sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Texas Center for Strategic Evangelism.
Before that, she and her father, Pastor Howell Burkhead from First Baptist Church in Cleveland, took a trip to Chicago. There, her father saw her take time out to give money to homeless individuals and tell many of the people she met about Jesus.
Burkhead and her parents were surprised at the announcement that she won first place.
Her father, who helped her hone her speaking style in rehearsals at home, said: “I'm so proud; it couldn't be put into words. She loves Jesus with as pure a heart as when she was 6 years old.”
Her mother–who helped her memorize the text of the speech–called the victory the cap to an “amazing year” for her daughter, who also was valedictorian of her high school class. “She's a strong Christian young lady, and the Lord has many plans for her,” she said.
She will use the scholarship she won in the state-level competition to attend the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton. She won a trophy and $400 from the BGCT Bible Study/Discipleship Center for the national victory.
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