(Special to the American Press)
(Special to the American Press)
Churches throughout Lake Area hosting vacation bible schools
Last Modified: Thursday, June 07, 2012 2:42 PM
By Warren Arceneaux / American Press
Churches throughout Southwest Louisiana are hosting vacation bible schools, giving kids and adults a chance to start the summer with fun and spiritual lessons in a safe, structured environment.
At Evergreen Baptist Church, more than 100 students and children are participating in the program this week. Director Bridgett Williams said the theme this year’s is “Heaven’s Kitchen.”
“We have a ton of activities for the younger kids, and with the older ones we try to teach teamwork, we have activities that everyone is involved in,” Williams said. “As Christians, we have to deal with obstacles. We want to teach them not to give up. If you continue to work with God, stay focused on God and faith, you will overcome those obstacles.”
Williams has worked in the program for 10 years, including the last three as director.
“I enjoy working with the kids and bringing them to Christ,” she said. “We have participants ages 2 to 18. We have a large number of high school students. We will have a commencement ceremony Friday.”
Nicole Simien, director of the VBS program at Christian Baptist Church, said 130 students and 50 volunteers have participated this week. “Fishin’ on a Mission with Jesus” is the program’s theme.
“The goal is to bring those children that are not in a church in to learn about God, the church and the bible,” Simien sad. “For those that already have a church, we want to enrich what they already know. We have six to 10 participants in an adult class. We have new bible lessons every day, as well as arts and crafts, music and recreational activities.
“We have new kids that come in each year as well as a large group that comes back every year. We get good response from parents. They like the lessons being taught and the structure of the program. The kids enjoy it, you can see the excitement on their faces when they learn something new.”
The program concludes Friday with a closing show, featuring skits and musical performances.
Evan Dickson, children’s minister at Trinity Baptist Church, said their VBS program has over 1,200 participants and staffers. Participants are broken into groups based on grade, ranging from preschool to sixth grade. This year’s theme for the program is “Amazing Wonders of Aviation.”
“We teach a different Bible story ever day, for instance Tuesday’s lesson was on God’s power over circumstances, so we used
the story of Daniel in the lion’s den,” Dickson said. “We start every day by bringing everyone together in the auditorium
for a worship rally. Each grade has class, music and recreational activities. The best part of the VBS is seeing kids who
have not been in church get introduced to Christ and seeing them develop that relationship.”
Vacation Bible School Schedule
• Bethany Baptist Church, 2105 Claude Hebert Road, LeBleu Settlement, 582-6641 — 9-11:30 a.m. Saturdays, June 9, 16, and 23, ages 4-12.
• Christian Baptist Church, 202 N. Franklin St., 436-6530 or 478-6423 — 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
• Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2124 Fifth St., 564-4109 — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 18-22, Theme: “Fishin’ on a Mission with Jesus.“
• Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, 3800 Hodges St., 480-0054 — 5-7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, June 27-29, classes for all ages, including adults, transportation provided by calling the church.
• First Baptist Church of Sulphur, 401 S. Huntington St. — 8:30 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday, June 25-29, grades kindergarten through fifth grade completed.
• First United Methodist Church, 812 Kirkman St., 436-6656 — 9 a.m.-noon, June 11-15, open to 4 year olds through fifth grade, with Immaculate Conception Cathedral, First Presbyterian and Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.
• Hargrove Baptist Church, 1427 Hargrove Loop, DeQuincy, 515-2371 — 8:45 a.m. Saturday, June 2, classes for all ages and lunch will be served.
• St. John Luthern Church, 600 University Drive, 478-5666 — 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, June 25-29, ages 4-10, Theme: “Amazing Desert Journey.”
• Miracle Baptist Church, 3940 East Burton St., 625-4759 — 9a.m.-noon Monday-Friday, June 11-15.
• Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 520 McNabb St., 436-5266 — 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday, June 25-29, Theme: “Heaven’s Kitchen: Nourishing A Health Soul-Body-Mind.”
• Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, 119 N. Bank St., 436-0882 — 5-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 11-15, ages 4 and up, Theme: “Fishing on a Mission with Jesus.”
• Mount Zion Baptist Church, 3830 E. Burton St., Mossville — 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 18-22.
• New Sunlight Baptist Church, 515 V.E. Washington St. — 4-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 11-15, Theme: “Heaven’s Kitchen.”
• Sale Street Baptist Church, 1611 Sale Street Baptist Church, 477-3463 — 8:30 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday, June 11-15, for ages completing pre-k through fifth grade, to register, go to www.salestreet.org.
• St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church, 1500 Country Club Road, 474-1500 — Monday-Friday, June 18-22, pre-K through fifth grade, Theme: “Operation Overboard.”
• Trinity Baptist Church, 1800 Country Club Road, 480-1555 — 9 a.m.-noon, Monday-Friday, June 4-8, preschool thru sixth grade, Theme: “Amazing Wonders of Aviation.”
• Unity Baptist Church, 1401 Pine St., 477-9629 — 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 11-15.
• University United Methodist Church, 3501 Patrick St., 477-2003 — 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, June 11-15, ages 3 through fifth grade, registration forms available at www.universitymethodist.com or prior to 8:30 a.m. Monday, Theme: “Operation Overboard: Go Dare to Go Deep with God.”
• Westside Baptist Church, 1437 Sutherland Road, Moss Bluff, 855-9422 — 8:45 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday, June 25-29, ages 4-11, Theme: “Operation Overboard: Go Deep with God.”
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