 Water balloons and snacks mixed with familiar Bible stories may be the
foundation for a successful vacation Bible school.
One local church was swamped by VBS campers this week, as more than 400 youth showed up
each day of Newberg Christian Church’s weeklong event.
The students are split up by age group, with the eldest middle school
students following a “No More Trash Talk” curriculum that includes
Olympics-style competition while emphasizing how the Bible says people should treat
others.
The umbrella theme was called “Super Cool Undersea Bible
Adventure,” one of many preplanned packages available to churches through Christian
publishers.
But the lessons are from all areas of the Bible, including trusting God in
times of trouble, or how Jesus gave his life for everyone else, organizers said.
“Our grand finale is we will all have roles to play in going out and
telling the good news (of Jesus Christ),” said co-director Rhonda Rosacker.
But what makes this VBS so popular that an enrollment list the size of an
average elementary school attend?
The church’s VBS differs from many in the fact that Christian learning
and summer fun don’t paint the whole picture. In addition, youth have in the past
participated in service projects, like those for Habitat for Humanity or other
organizations.
This year, two efforts are underway. Upstairs in the church, a mound of
canned and boxed foods sat roped off by streamers, the result of a food-drive for local
aid agency Friends In Service to Humanity (F.I.S.H.)
“We are training them when they’re young to understand service is
so much of what Christ calls us to do,” Rosacker said.
Outside, a group of tables held a different type of collection. The
deodorant, batteries and magazines displayed in the sunlight will soon be included in care
packages for men and women serving in the military.
Brandon Bolte stood in the middle of his fellow fifth-grade students
Thursday, wearing his father’s decorated jacked. The 10-year-old’s dad, Timothy,
has been in Iraq since the spring as a member of the Albany-based B-52 Engineers.
“He has 80 pounds of gear he has to wear all day,” Bolte told the
others, before reading from two letters his dad sent, and showing an Iraqi coin and a bill
sporting Saddam Hussein’s image.
Volunteer David Jones stood nearby. “My second-grader is kind of
cynical, but he comes home every day excited,” Jones said. “If we can put it in
kids that it’s fun to go to church, that’s great.”
Jones is one of about 140 adults and teens who volunteered with the
church’s VBS at some point during the week. That was a welcome volunteer troupe for
co-directors Rosacker and Lisa Redding.
“We plan for roughly 400 (youth) ... and the first day we had 406,”
Redding said, adding the camp topped more than 450 kids later in the week.
Rosacker credits a good reputation in the community for the program’s
success, due to word-of-mouth from kids who attend and to organizers paying attention to
details like traffic flow and safety.
“We’ve had so many people come to Christ because their kids first
attended,” Rosacker said, adding the church has gained a number of new members in
that way, as well.Many vacation Bible
school opportunities remain out there
A number of area churches still have their own versions of Vacation Bible
School on the summer calendar.
Zion Lutheran Church, July 28-Aug. 1: “3-2-1 Bible
Academy” will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. each day for children ages 3 years old
through fourth-grade. To register or for more information, contact the church at
503-538-1344.
Newberg Church of the Nazarene, Aug. 4-8:
“Diggin’ the Righteous Truth” will be presented with a 1970s hippie slant,
according to organizers. The VBS begins at 6 p.m. each night and lasts about two hours,
with dinner provided. Children ages 4 years old through those entering sixth-grade may
attend. There is no cost and preregistration is helpful, but not required. To register,
contact the church at 503-538-2570.
First United Methodist Church, Aug. 11-15: “Bug
Safari” is the theme for kids ages 4 years old through fifth-grade. The event runs
from 9 a.m. to noon at the church, 1205 Deborah Road. For more information, contact the
church at 503-538-5404.
Newberg Friends Church and North Valley Friends Church,
Aug. 11-15: “Son Seekers: Diggin’ the Righteous Truth” returns in August
with a daytime schedule, running from 9 a.m. to noon daily, followed by a celebration
picnic on the final day. Children ages 3 years old through fifth-grade are welcome. To
register or for more information, contact NFC at 503-538-8381, or NVFC at 503-538-5340.
St. Michael’s/San Miguel Episcopal Church, Aug. 18-22:
“Son Harvest Country Fair” will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. daily at the
church, 110 S. Everest Road. For more information, contact the church at 503-538-3080. |
