Katherine Vogan Springer Memorial Scholarship

When I was a child, I always struggled with talking to people; the words were just never there. I was so shy that every time I had to talk to someone, I hid behind my moms legs and hoped they didn't see me. This sparked a question for my mom: "Do I want to raise a child who cannot communicate, or do I want to raise an effective communicator?" Years later, when my mom was asked to be a community judge for a Christian speech and debate competition, we were impressed at how effectively a high schooler could eloquently explain the trinity and why it matters. It was in that very moment, while watching a student deliver a six minute apologetics speech that I knew I wanted to learn this art of communication. My career in National Christian Forensics Communications Association (NCFCA) has greatly equipped me with being able to both share and defend my faith. The Lord has used my five years in NCFCA to truly challenge me and equip me as an ambassador for Christ to communicate truth with integrity and grace. Apologetics as a category has always been my favorite category to participate in, not only because I have the opportunity to talk about God for six minutes, but because it teaches me how to effectively communicate my faith and the fundamentals of my faith to someone else. Not only has Apologetics greatly equipped me but the category of Impromptu as well. In this event, you are given just two minutes to prepare a five minute speech on a random topic. Though it is difficult, I recognize Impromptu's importance because it trains you to think quickly and communicate clearly under pressure. In a real world situation, when someone asks me about my faith, I have no prep time with a pen and paper, but the beauty of Impromptu is that it trains you to think as you speak. This skill prepares me to respond thoughtfully when someone challenges my beliefs or asks difficult questions about Christianity. One of the highlights of my summer every year is going to Worldview Academy and it is at this camp that I get to put my Apologetics and Impromptu skills to practice. In the middle of the week, the entire camp goes evangelizing in the nearby town and I remember one moment when I encountered a woman who said that she does not believe everything in the Bible yet in the sentence before, she stated that she believes that the Bible is the only source for truth. My answer to her was that if she believes in the Bible's truthfulness, she must believe 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is God-breathed," and therefore she has no reason to not believe everything in the Bible. When sharing my faith with others, I am well-equipped -- because of NCFCA-- to think quickly, ask questions, and share the basics of Christ. I owe all my speaking abilities, knowledge of basic theology and apologetics, and my love for learning theology to NCFCA. Their mission statement "To challenge and equip ambassadors for Christ to communicate truth with integrity and grace" has proven true in me. From a shy kid who never wanted to talk to anyone, I have grown to be someone who is comfortable communicating, not only my faith but the things I believe in, debating topics with logical thought and evidence, and confidently sharing the truth of the Gospel with clarity, conviction, and grace.

Engaging in speech and debate played a significant role in preparing me to share my Christian faith with confidence, clarity, and compassion. Through this experience, I developed skills that have been invaluable in articulating my beliefs, engaging in meaningful conversations, and defending my faith with both logic and grace. One of the most important skills I gained was the ability to think critically and construct well-reasoned arguments. Debate taught me how to analyze different perspectives, anticipate counterarguments, and present my points logically and persuasively. This has been crucial when discussing my faith, as it has helped me answer tough questions and explain biblical truths in a way that makes sense to others. Whether engaging with skeptics or encouraging fellow believers, the ability to communicate ideas has strengthened my witness. Speech and debate also taught me the value of active listening. In competitive debate, understanding an opponent’s argument is just as important as presenting my own. This skill has helped me approach faith-based conversations with empathy, ensuring that I genuinely hear and understand where others are coming from before responding. By listening first, I can address concerns thoughtfully rather than reacting defensively, which fosters deeper and more meaningful discussions about faith. Additionally, debate instilled in me the importance of staying composed under pressure. Whether answering cross-examination questions or delivering impromptu speeches, I learned how to remain calm and articulate my thoughts even in challenging situations. This has helped me share my faith confidently in moments where I might otherwise feel intimidated, such as discussing Christianity in secular settings or responding to difficult theological questions. Perhaps most importantly, my experience in speech and debate reinforced the power of words. I saw firsthand how words can inspire, challenge, and encourage people. As a Christian, I recognize that my words can be used to reflect God’s love and truth. Debate taught me to be intentional with my speech, ensuring that my words build up rather than tear down and that I communicate the gospel message in a way that is both truthful and compassionate. Ultimately, speech and debate prepared me to share my faith not just with logic, but with love. It reminded me that the goal of discussing faith isn’t just to win arguments, but to point people to Christ with humility and grace. Whether through structured debates or everyday conversations, I now feel equipped to share the hope within me with clarity, confidence, and a heart that seeks to understand others.