Vacation Bible School programs
As 7-year-old Khamira Moore learned about Moses and the burning bush on the second floor of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, her grandfather, Deacon Don Moore was downstairs, also learning about the Bible.
It was Vacation Bible School at the Near East Side church, one of a few local churches that offer the popular children’s programming for adults as well.
“We are a church family, and all of us are growing in the knowledge of who Christ is,” said Elaine Meeks, adult instructor at the church’s Vacation Bible School, which
Glenwood United Methodist Church, 2833 Valleyview Drive, is hosting a Hero Fair and Bible school registration from noon to 4 p.m. July 8 at the church. The fair will feature free food, games and the chance to meet local heroes such as firefighters, polices officers, teachers and more. Those who attend can register for Bible school, open to adults and children in kindergarten through fifth grade, which will be held July 17-21 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each day with a free meal at 5 p.m.
Worthington Christian Church, 8145 N. High St., is hosting its vacation program, open to all ages, July 9-14, with two sessions. The morning one will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon; the evening one will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. To register, visit explorevbs.com.
was hosted each night this week. “We learn God is for everyone.”
Typically, 15 to 20 adults show up for the classes, which the church has hosted for years. Don Moore has attended the school program at Pilgrim for more than 20 years. He took his own nowgrown children years ago and attended, just like he takes his four grandchildren now.
“I can’t send my grandkids now and not come myself,” Moore said.
Though Don Moore’s attendance at a VBS program may seem unorthodox, it’s something many churches are beginning to offer, said Melita Thomas, Vacation Bible School ministries specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources, a company that publishes program materials.
The vacation programs are traditionally geared to children in kindergarten to middle school, though there are benefits for children, adults and churches when they are also offered to adults, say church leaders.
To Don Moore, the benefits come in his four grandchildren openly discussing the Bible with their grandfather, and the fact that he thinks they’re at the age to establish a good Christian foundation.
“I think they understand the importance of Christian education,” Don Moore said of his four grandchildren, ages 3, 7, 8 and 10, who are staying with him for the week so they can attend the school.
Other benefits are welcoming adults who may not have been to church before, illustrating to children that their beliefs and practice can go beyond childhood and offering Christianity in a less intimidating way.
Meeks hopes children see that church is not just for children.
“We grow in grace,” she said. “When (children) see us, that is a good example of who Christ is and how he grows in our lives.”
The trend of adult Vacation Bible Schools started about five years ago and is most prevalent in the Bible Belt, but is also growing in other regions, Thomas said.
“We believe gospel is for everyone, so when we focus on just children, I think we miss the mark,” she said. “Church can be scary for some people. VBS is a great equalizer. It kind of demystifies everything.”
Glenwood United Methodist Church, on the West Side, is offering a program for adults and children for the first time this summer.
The Rev. Jeffrey Mullinix, pastor, said Glenwood UMC decided to offer vacation classes for adults this year so they can be an active part of what their children are doing, and in hopes of attracting new families to the church.
“The goal is to reach out into our community and in some way touch lives and transform lives,” he said.
The hope is that the families will discuss the lessons at home, which is almost always a hope for the programs, but doesn’t always work in practice.
“A lot of times, since parents aren’t involved and a lot aren’t churched, they don’t know how to talk about it with their kids,” Mullinix said.
At Glenwood, adults and children get the same lesson — tailored to their age — and are together for worship before and after the lessons, Mullinix said.
At Pilgrim, children and adults come together before they leave each night and discuss what they learned that day, Meeks said.
Worthington Christian Church, on the North Side, has always included all ages in its Bible program, said the Rev. Tom Sherrod, children’s minister.
Each summer, the church welcomes about 1,300 children from 3-year-olds to sixth-graders, about 500 teens and about 90 adults. The inter-generational style of the vacation program is important, as “kids face a very difficult world these days,” Sherrod said.
“They need us. ... We hope the kids see grownups with a love for the Lord, with a loving heart,” he said. “We hope they see it’s OK to believe in Jesus, it’s OK to go to church.”