Religion
Vacation bible school ushers in summer
By Don Mooney
Jun 17, 2003
One confirming fact that summer is officially here is the emergence of Vacation Bible Schools throughout local communities. Two of Bonhams prominent congregations, First Baptist and North Side Church of Christ, got things this summer by hosting their vacation bible sessions simultaneously.
Monday- Friday from 9-12 a.m., each morning their parking lots and classrooms were filled with youth ranging from 4-12 years of age.
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| 1st Baptist gathering is led in song with singing and sign. |
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| 1st Baptist singing and signing as they begin their day.. |
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| 1st Baptist participants headed to their classes. |
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| 1st Baptist instructor passes out literature. |
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| North Side learn some useful craft lessons. |
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| Digging for "Lost teasures of Egypt," kids enjoy pretending. |
Each morning the participants were gathered in the sanctuaries for a general assembly to prepare the schoolers' minds for the daily activities. First Baptist and Northside each started out these assemblies with a moment of prayer and meditation.Aferwards they were off to thematic classrooms that were geared to the interest of their age-levels. Once settled in, the instructors got the chance to involve the students in crafts, and games that offered spiritual messages.
Although Vacation Bible School (VBS) was only three hours long, a period was set aside for some outdoor recreation, which was taken full advantage of.
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| 1st Baptist teach craft lesson in teamwork. |
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| Patients is a big key to teaching. |
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| Sometimes the instructor learns from teaching. |
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| 1st Baptist makes time for a little funtime too! |
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| A break from class is always a treat. |
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| Ooops!! Be careful!!! |
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| Nothing like refreshments after working our brains!! |
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| Students were very recptive to the camera too! |
The interacting between the students and the instructors took a tone of both serious biblical information and Christian fun. The type of fun that will hopefully inspire the kids to seek in the future. From that aspect it appeared that both churches got their messages across and should consider this week-long endeavor a success that planted longlasting lessons in each one's heart.
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| 1st Baptist doing a little detective work during the assembly. |
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| No one was quite fooled by pastor Malones disquise. |
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| All good things must come to an end. Well done churches! |
E-mail: donmooney@ntxe-news.com