Port Neches senior to represent Texas Baptists at national speakersâ contest
Posted: 5/25/07
Port Neches senior to represent Texas
Baptists at national speakers’ contest
By Barbara Bedrick
Texas Baptist Communications
DALLAS—Christopher Mahfouz was so determined to make it to his senior prom, he didn’t stick around to hear the announcement that he won the state championship at the 2007 Youth Speakers’ Tournament.
Mahfouz, a Port Neches senior, turned off his cell phone as he flew from Dallas to Houston. When he was back on the ground, he checked his voicemail. Then pandemonium broke loose. Jumping for joy and getting strange looks, especially from airport security, Christopher realized he won the state tournament, sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
“I was so excited and overwhelmed,” said Mahfouz. “I am honored to represent Texas Baptists on a national level. I have heard Texas has won the last four years. I want to uphold the tradition.”
As his speaker’s topic, he selected “Black or White in a Gray World”—a subject he considers appropriate for the challenge facing youth in America today.
“The question posed in the Old Testament about how to live in a gray world and in uncertain times is relevant in our time,” he explained. “We do that by believing Christ is the truth and the only way. … As Christians, we must remember our standard to live by is the word of God.”
With a passion for his topic, Christopher said the issue burdened his heart. In his speech, he illustrated how often people put their own face on God and stray from foundational beliefs.
Pointing to a situation revealed by a contemporary blogger, he described how a teacher had walked by and noticed a group of children creating their own religion one day at lunch.
“People believe what they personally believe is the truth,” Mahfouz said. “We create our own spin and adopt our own face.”
But he reaffirmed his belief the only way to salvation is the path revealed in the Bible.
As the state youth speakers’ tournament champion, Mah-fouz receives a $5,000 scholarship from Baylor University and a $500 award from the BGCT to help offset expenses of traveling to compete in the national competition June 8 in North Carolina.
He plans to pursue law school following his graduation from Baylor.
“We were excited to see Chris reach this achievement,” said his father, David Mahfouz, pastor of First Baptist Church in Port Neches.
“We’ve seen him grow in his spiritual walk with the Lord during the time of his study and preparation, and certainly it has strengthened his leadership skills.”
Mahfouz noted he always encourages students in his congregation to be a part of the Bible drill and youth speaker’s tournament competition because, he said, it’s a wonderful opportunity for them “to grow spiritually and to grow in an understanding in what they believe in.”
Taking second place in the youth speakers’ tournament was Katelyn VanDeaver from First Baptist Church in New Boston. Students rounding out the top five youth speakers are Matt Howerton of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ennis, Jamie Lorenz of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano and Mary Tess Eggebrecht of First Baptist Church in College Station.