Episcopalian "Scholar" Discusses Past Failures

Madisonville, LA -- Young Bobby Tines was smaller than all the other boys in his RA class. Most would have considered him frail.

Bobby knew the books of the Bible and in order, at that. But he had to sing the Books of the Bible song in his head before he could find a verse. This worked to his disadvantage in Southern Baptist Bible Drill competitions.

During those painful childhood years, he never found a verse first, much less won any Bible drill competitions. In fact, out of the 20-30 boys in his RA classes from 1977 through 1982, he came in dead last every single year in the Bible drills through his local Southern Baptist Church.

It never really seemed to bother Bobby though. He appeared content to successfully find verses and know the order of books, even though he was always last. It was just the way Bobby usually was in things. He was much the same in most of his classes at school, especially in the subjects of math and reading.

After Bobby grew up, around the turn of the millennium things turned when he found true love and married Norma Jean Wilder. Norma Jean was a devout Episcopalian. Bobby was content to become part of the Hope Episcopalian congregation in Madisonville. He faithfully read the scripture prior to most services. He was glad that the sermons were planned up to a year in advance because he would have time to find the passages beforehand.

Well, it didn’t take long before the long time members of the Hope Episcopalian Congregation began to take notice that Bobby was quite handy with the Bible. He not only seemed to know where most passages were, but also had obviously memorized some of the lines in the vast collection of 66 books.

Once a boy who needed special help to keep up with the other kids, Bobby now was considered a Biblical scholar among his wife’s Episcopalian friends.

Today, Bobby rarely goes a full week without another member of Hope calling him for information about what the Bible says about a topic. "It's really boosted his confidence," said wife Norma Jean. "He changed his hair, started working out, and improved his posture."

Bobby has even had a significant impact on many of the more educated members of Hope. Dr. Jonathan Belgrin, a faithful member since childhood, admitted, “Though I still phone Reverend Pat Welsh-Gadsby when I want to discuss politics, I now go to Bobby for all my Biblical discussions.”

The Reverend Pat Welsh-Gadsby suggested, "Mr. Bobby Tines demonstrates the growth potential offered in an Episcopalian congregation, regardless of your past failures in other denominations."