Vacation Bible School presents timeless truths in a fresh way
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 11 months AGO
Students at Moses Lake Presbyterian Church’s Vacation Bible School learn about the Gospel with kid-friendly activities.
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | June 30, 2016 6:00 AM
MOSES LAKE — It’s not your father’s Vacation Bible School.
Moses Lake Presbyterian Church’s week-long program for kids last week built on the long history of VBS, but brought the Gospel into a 21st century setting for a younger generation. The staples were still there: singing, games, activities and Bible stories, but the old-school flannel boards were replaced by elaborate sets and even a phone app to accompany the curriculum. The program brought in about 240 kids, which was especially impressive with four other churches holding VBS the same week, according to Lynn Frey, who coordinated the program.
This year’s theme was “Jesus is the Light of the World.” The curriculum, called “Cave Quest,” led kids on a tour of Biblical virtues and hopefully either to make a commitment to Christ or to strengthen the one they have, Frey said.
“We are a church that really believes in going all out for kids,” Frey said. “If a child makes a commitment to Christ before the age of 13, there’s a greater chance they’ll continue to be a follower of Christ.”
Monday’s focus was on Hope, Frey said, using the prophet Isaiah as an example. Tuesday looked at Courage and the story of Peter walking on the water, and Wednesday was devoted to Direction and the Sermon on the Mount. Thursday took a serious turn and focused on Love and the salvation message. Friday rounded out the week with Power and the story of Christ’s ascension.
Kids seventh grade and older are encouraged to volunteer and make an example for the younger ones, Frey said. She added that she tells them “you are Jesus’ ambassadors in this place. We don’t know what kids’ lives are like at home, but we can shine Jesus’ light.”
The kids took part in another exercise of faith as well, raising funds for Serve Moses Lake. Frey estimated that the kids alone raised over $1,000 for the local charity, and parents kicked in too. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we ended up giving them $1,300 to $1,400,” she said.
Through all the fun and the hoopla, the basic purpose is still the same as the church’s mission statement, Frey said: to reach seekers and build believers.
No, it’s not quite like the Vacation Bible School older folks remember attending as kids. But in the most central ways, it’s still the same.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Hard-earned success
BBCC students step into the world armed with diplomas and courage
MOSES LAKE — Genuine success is neither quick nor easy, as the students who graduated Thursday from Big Bend Community College attested. There's a simple story I remember when I was younger,” Associated Student Body President Pedro Lopez said, alternating between English and Spanish. “It's about a kid who plants a seed. At first nothing happens. They water it every day, but the ground still looks the same. They start to wonder if anything is happening at all. They think about digging it up to check, that maybe it didn't work. Maybe nothing is growing. But they keep watering anyway.
MLCC to host conversational town hall Thursday
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Community Coalition will try to kick-start some conversations Thursday at a town hall titled “What's Troubling You, Moses Lake?” “The feedback that we've gotten for all of our prior town halls is people enjoyed them, but they wish there was more of an opportunity to talk,” said Coalition Coordinator Megan Watson. “So we (said), ‘Let's create a town hall event where that's the point – where you come and talk in small groups.’” The coalition holds town hall meetings every year, Watson said, and in the past they’ve focused on specific issues, like gangs or addiction, with local experts on those subjects giving information to the community. This time, Watson said, the MLCC is partnering with Braver Angels, a national organization dedicated to helping Americans practice courageous citizenship across political differences, according to its website. The event, which will take place at the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center, is free and open to the public.
Long service
Lind couple steps down from ministry after three decades
LIND — They say time goes by quickly when you’re doing what you love, and maybe it goes twice as fast when you love doing two things. Steve Schofstall retired last week from both the ministry and the Lind Dryland Research Station, after three decades of devoted service to both. “Our oldest daughter was a kindergartner (when I started), and now she’s 36,” Schofstoll said. “The years have gone by very quickly.” Steve and Kim Schofstall were called to Lind Calvary Assembly of God Church in 1996, and Steve came on board at the WSU Lind Dryland Research Station at the same time, he said.