Graphic of a steaming cup of coffee with text and elements forming around it, including 'EXPRESSIO', 'SPEECH & DEBATE', 'MATTHEW 12:37', 'NCFCA' and phrases like 'BECAUSE WORDS MATTER'.

Expressio
Speech & Debate

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

We are a Christian speech and debate club in Tri-Cities, Washington, where students build confidence, sharpen their minds, and grow in a Christ-centered community.

Our goal is to train skillful, winsome, and effective communicators for Christ. Students ages 12-18 are eligible for competition, and our club also offers instruction for juniors (elementary age).

Welcome!

Three young adults standing and talking in a room with wood paneling, a window, and a TV screen. The woman on the left wears a pink shirt and jeans, the man in the middle wears a blue checkered shirt and dress pants, and the man on the right wears a black shirt and sneakers. The man on the right appears to be explaining something, while the others listen.
A diverse group of young students sitting in a classroom or seminar hall, taking notes and listening attentively.
Group of young people in formal attire at a conference or event, posing on stage with a large screen in the background displaying 'Regional Championship 2023'.

Benefits of Competitive Speech and Debate

Communication skills are crucial in every area of life.

  • Students receive excellent written feedback from both parent and community judges at the tournaments (community judges are recruited from all professions and walks of life).

  • A high standard of courtesy, demeanor, deportment and behavior is expected from the students as they interact with home-educated peers from around the region at tournaments. Students often develop lifetime friendships with other students outside of their community.

  • Ultimately, students hone skills that will enable them to articulate their faith and allow them to engage the culture in a manner that influences it for their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

  • Students develop excellent study skills, as well as both written and verbal communication skills, as they work toward the deadline of a competition.

  • Debate students develop a high level of critical thinking and research skills as they learn about current events and both national and international issues. They learn to state a position clearly and defend it.

  • Students have the opportunity to deliver original speeches with a Biblical worldview to an audience, which may be comprised of unbelievers. Competitions are an exciting time to influence judges for Christ!

Group of young adults in formal attire posing at an indoor event
A group of teenagers dressed in formal business attire gathered together at an event, smiling and posing for a photo.
Three young women smiling and hugging each other at an indoor event, wearing name tags. The background shows a hallway and a door.
Students and teacher in a classroom, some students working at tables, others seating on chairs, and a teacher standing at the front near a whiteboard and a TV, with bottles and books on the tables and shelves.

About NCFCA

Although we are an independent club, our main goal is to train students to compete in Region 3 of the National Christian Forensics and Communication Association (NCFCA). As one of the largest speech and debate leagues in the country, NCFCA provides unique opportunities for students to learn and grow.

NCFCA helps learn real-world communication skills that equip them for life. Students who engage with NCFCA become poised speakers, curious researchers, and resilient advocates for a biblical worldview. They build wisdom and character from constructive feedback and develop the critical thinking abilities necessary to understand and speak into our culture with compassion and integrity.