First Baptist Celebrates “Jungle Journey” VBS
From June 3rd to the 7th, First Baptist (Richmond) held its annual vacation bible school for children from preschool to fifth grade. The theme this year was The Great Jungle Journey: An Epic Cruise from Genesis to Revelation. The curriculum was provided by Answers in Genesis, which runs the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. The “jungle” was created by artistically gifted members of FBC. Each evening, the children received a hot meal along with the games and learning activities connected with the respective theme. Every evening began and ended with a celebration in the sanctuary.
Vacation bible school was truly, richly blessed this year! Of the 585 kids who signed up, on average over 400 attended each night. Roughly 200 members of First Baptist volunteered to be crew leaders, learning station teachers, game organizers, kitchen staff. security, etc. Over 100 kids expressed a desire to consider committing their lives to follow Christ. After VBS was done, the decorations and props along with leftover curricular materials were distributed among five or six area churches according to what they needed for their own summer vacation bible schools. According to Rachel Cobb, Director of Children’s Ministries at First Baptist, this is done every year to bless churches with fewer resources. She recommends that churches interested in using the same curriculum reach out to her early enough to be considered. She will be following up with the kids who expressed their desire to follow Jesus.
Anyone wanting to contact Answers in Genesis regarding teaching materials for children and adults of all ages can go online or phone them at (800) 778-3390. For creative ideas in decorating for VBS and/or enlisting volunteer help from church members, Sister Rachel can be contacted at First Baptist (Richmond) at (859) 623-4028.
