When Bryan E. Rodríguez of Cuba was announced as this year’s top winner of the Inter-American Division’s (IAD) Bible Connection, he was overcome with emotion. As the crowd cheered and fellow finalists rushed to congratulate him, Bryan, 20, burst into tears. He had just triumphed over 23 other regional finalists at the packed Central Adventist Church in San Salvador on Nov. 16, 2024. The grand finale was streamed live for hundreds more to witness his victory.

“This has been an extraordinary miracle for Bryan,” said Al Powell, youth ministries director of the IAD, as he handed Bryan the winner’s trophy. “God has blessed each and every one of you who have taken this journey of studying the Bible this year.”

Rodríguez clinched the top spot with a perfect score of 1,435 points, answering all 96 questions on the Book of Genesis in just 12 minutes and 55 seconds. “He didn’t miss a single question,” Powell remarked, noting that four questions were eliminated by the judges, but that didn’t affect Rodríguez’s lead.

In the joyful moment of Bryan’s victory announcement, Ray Frometa, Youth Ministries director of the Cuban Union, jumped for joy and embraced Rodríguez tightly. Both were deeply moved by the significance of his win for the thousands of youth in Cuba.

Back in Cuba, Aldo Perez, president of the Cuban Union, expressed his joy at the news. “We praise the Lord for this,” said Perez. “Bryan is part of the Alcides Pino Adventist Church in Holguin, and the youth in his church have been praying for him every evening.”

Rodríguez’s journey was not an easy one. Traveling from his hurricane-battered city of Holguin, he endured a grueling 10-hour ride to Havana before making his way to El Salvador. He had taken a year off from dental school to focus on preparing for the Bible Connection competition, despite doubts from his family and friends.

“My family and friends were against me putting off my career. They asked, ‘What if you don’t win? What if you’re behind in your studies?’” Rodríguez recalled. Despite these concerns, he chose to dedicate himself to studying the Bible intensively, spending up to seven hours a day memorizing and studying Genesis.

“I would have been almost done with my first semester now,” Rodríguez said. “At first, I felt sad seeing my classmates, but I trusted that God had a plan for me. I focused on my studies and prayed that He would guide me.”

Rodríguez believes that his victory was not his own doing but a result of God’s blessings. “I don’t deserve this trophy,” he humbly reflected. “I know this is the Lord’s work. He knew how much I prayed for this win and how many times I cried, thinking I wouldn’t make it.”

The experience has been transformative for Rodríguez. He’s flown on a plane for the first time, made 20 new friends, and experienced the love and support of his church and family. His prize included a laptop and the first choice of a full four-year scholarship to Northern Caribbean University in Jamaica, a two-year scholarship to Linda Vista Adventist University in Chiapas, Mexico, or a one-year scholarship to Montemorelos University in Mexico.

Pablo Antonio González of Nicaragua earned second place with a score of 1,420 points, missing only one question and completing the challenge in 8 minutes and 19 seconds. “It was an exhilarating experience,” said González, a second-year medical student who balanced his studies with Bible memorization. “I would read each chapter carefully, memorizing 15 verses daily. That made all the difference.”

González’s second-place finish earned him a tablet, while Daniel Hernández of the Central Mexican Union claimed third place with 1,410 points in 9 minutes and 42 seconds. This marked Hernández’s third year as a finalist in the annual competition in his union. Last year, he won second place in the finale competition in Bogotá, Colombia. In 2022, Hernández, age 23, took the fourth place in the territory-wide finale in Jamaica.

Hernández said he was delighted to be among the three top spots and the journey has led him to travel to different countries and make new friends. “I’m going to try one more time next year,” he said. Getting to the top spot is something he wants to continue pursuing, Hernández added.

All 24 finalists received medals and prizes for their participation, and those who were unable to attend in person joined the live online event from locations across the French Antilles Guiana, Haiti, Jamaica, and West Venezuela Unions.

Al Powell praised all the finalists for their dedication to studying the Bible, encouraging them to continue being ambassadors for the Word of God. “Rely on the Bible as a roadmap for your life,” Powell urged. “GPS may lead you astray, but you won’t get lost with the map of the Bible.”

The Bible Connection competition, which included five rounds of 20 multiple-choice questions, aims to foster a habit of Bible study among young people across the IAD region, helping them draw life lessons from Scripture.

Next year’s IAD Bible Connection will see thousands of children and young people studying the Book of Luke. The grand finale competition is scheduled to take place  November 16, 2025, in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Victor Martínez and Fabricio contributed information to this article. The original article was published on the Inter-American Division website.