Throughout high school, I competed in faith-based leagues like Stoa and the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA). Along the way, I tried a variety of categories, but I focused on Apologetics, Lincoln-Douglas, Moot Court, and Mars Hill. Each event taught me different skills that have equipped me to share my Christian faith. Apologetics is a limited preparation speech event with a list of several questions about Christianity that a student must draw from at random and be ready to answer in a six-minute speech. This event was a kind of catechesis for me; it made me wrestle with theological topics and present my beliefs with fluency before others. Such training has been invaluable. Due to this, when I talk about Christianity with others, I can explain doctrinal concepts, share scriptural support, and present these ideas with clarity. Apologetics speech pushed me to know God’s Word, a crucial part of effectively sharing the faith. Lincoln-Douglas is a form of individual debate that centers around philosophical topics. Out of all the styles of debate, Lincoln-Douglas has been the most helpful in preparing me to discuss Christianity. Philosophy is closely related to theology, and through this format, I learned to listen to my opponents, respond to their arguments with respect, and stay calm under pressure. All are skills that aid me anytime someone pushes back on my beliefs. When I conduct myself well, my message is far better received. Lincoln-Douglas debate prepared me to represent my faith with dignity in disagreements. Moot Court, formerly offered by NCFCA, is a team event that simulates arguing before the Supreme Court. Unlike any other category, judges question speakers in the middle of their presentations. This experience required me to reach a new level of composure. I had to handle interruptions and answer questions with concision, all while maintaining courtroom decorum. As a result, I treat religious discussions as real conversations, full of interruptions and give-and-take, rather than as opportunities to preach at the other person. Moot Court challenged me to apply my communication skills in realistic ways, helping me when I share Christianity with others. Mars Hill is a limited preparation speech event that is unique to Stoa’s league. It is named after Mars Hill, the place where the Apostle Paul evangelized the Greeks by connecting their notion of the “Unknown God” to the Christian God. So, the speech category asks students to practice reaching unbelieving listeners by comparing Christianity to themes in secular movies, songs, and art pieces. By analyzing these different worldviews, I discovered the importance of “knowing your audience” beyond superficial labels and assumptions. Now, whenever I talk to someone about religion, I prioritize understanding my conversation partner’s viewpoint, searching for underlying worldviews and motivations. That way, I have a better chance of addressing the heart of the questions; oftentimes, what is unstated is what matters most. Mars Hill showed me how to truly know my audience. All these forms of speech and debate taught me different skills that have equipped me to share my Christian faith. However, there’s one last lesson that I learned, not from a particular event, but from observing forensics as a whole: The best speakers embody their words. They don’t put on a pious performance only to abandon those values when it’s convenient. Hypocrisy can’t hold a candle to the real deal. So, thanks to speech and debate, I know that my best asset in evangelizing is not any single skill I’ve honed; it’s the authenticity in what I say, born out by love for God and my neighbor.