 |
||
|
Standing watch over Fort Hood since 1942
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 05:03:04 AM |
||
Twitter
FacebookSummer religious programs teach life-long lessons
July 26, 2012 | Editorial
Facebook
Digg
DeliciousThe Fort Hood Religious Support Program is one of the most vibrant and exciting chapel communities in today’s Army. Almost 120 chaplains serve a variety of positions throughout the post, to include pastoring nine worship services each Sunday (with more to begin in the coming months). Additionally, five Distinctive Faith Group Leaders serve as lay ministers for specific faith groups. Add to this our many auxiliary programs, and we easily reach several thousand Soldiers and Family members each month.
One of those valuable events each summer is Vacation Bible School. Though the actual origins of VBS are not clearly defined, it is fairly certain that the concept began in the 1890s.
Mrs. Miles, a Sunday school teacher in Hopedale, Ill., felt that children needed more valuable Bible teaching. With this in view, she began a daily program of instruction during the summer months. In another location, about 1898, Mrs. Hawes wanted to provide a safe place for children to occupy their time. Being a practical woman, she rented what was available and close to the children, a beer hall.
From those, and other, small beginnings, VBS began to develop into the powerful tool for reaching children and adults with Biblical truth and training. This year, Standard Publishing celebrated its 80th year producing VBS material, along with many other publishers, small and large, who support the thousands of churches and millions of children who attend VBS each year.
For almost as long, our Army posts have hosted Vacation Bible Schools sponsored by the
Chaplains and the parishioners of the chapels. This year is no different, and during the summer, four different VBS programs have been or will be offered.
From June 4-8, the Gospel congregation out of Comanche chapel hosted their VBS. Stacey Wilson is the Religious Education Coordinator for that congregation, and served as the project officer for the Comanche VBS. For five days, more than 100 volunteers would arrive each day to prepare. An average of 400 children per day arrived in eager expectation of Bible stories, fun games and making new friends. And every day, Stacey would pray for her vision to become reality – that children would have the opportunity to hear about the gospel of Jesus, and for people’s lives to be changed.
“I like to see the community come together, and to make a difference in children’s lives,” she said. “It’s going to get into the homes.”
By the end of the week, Comanche chapel had seen a grand total of 2,017 children in attendance.
Kenny and Joy Lowe serve as the leaders of our Children’s Ministry for Protestant congregations. This summer, Joy led two VBS sessions. The first occurred at 19th Street Chapel in early June, with almost 60 children participating. Her second session occurred a couple of weeks later at the Kouma Village elementary school, with almost 50 attending. What made it additionally special was the crew of volunteer churchmembers from Florida and Colorado who came to support Joy. For each of those weeks, the children were drawn into an exciting, fun-filled journey into Biblical truth for their lives.
Joy recalled her own experiences with VBS when she was a young girl.
“It had a big impact on my life,” she said. “It’s worth it.” Worth the time, the expense and the preparation on behalf of the children. Her desire was to impart a Christian influence in their lives and, toward the end, she said that even those kids who were a little shy and withdrawn at the beginning were glad they were part of VBS.
But we’re not finished, yet. Our Chapel Next congregation is hosting VBS Aug. 6-10 at the Spirit of Fort Hood Chapel. Last summer, they averaged 220 children every day for VBS, with 65 volunteers each day. This year, their final night will also host a ministry fair to show what will be coming up for the following year. It’s just as Caron Palmer, the Chapel Next Religious Education Coordinator told me: “It’s a Family ministry, a stepping stone to getting connected in chapel.” If you would like your child to attend the August VBS, call Caron at 338-1903.
One of those valuable events each summer is Vacation Bible School. Though the actual origins of VBS are not clearly defined, it is fairly certain that the concept began in the 1890s.
Mrs. Miles, a Sunday school teacher in Hopedale, Ill., felt that children needed more valuable Bible teaching. With this in view, she began a daily program of instruction during the summer months. In another location, about 1898, Mrs. Hawes wanted to provide a safe place for children to occupy their time. Being a practical woman, she rented what was available and close to the children, a beer hall.
From those, and other, small beginnings, VBS began to develop into the powerful tool for reaching children and adults with Biblical truth and training. This year, Standard Publishing celebrated its 80th year producing VBS material, along with many other publishers, small and large, who support the thousands of churches and millions of children who attend VBS each year.
For almost as long, our Army posts have hosted Vacation Bible Schools sponsored by the
Chaplains and the parishioners of the chapels. This year is no different, and during the summer, four different VBS programs have been or will be offered.
From June 4-8, the Gospel congregation out of Comanche chapel hosted their VBS. Stacey Wilson is the Religious Education Coordinator for that congregation, and served as the project officer for the Comanche VBS. For five days, more than 100 volunteers would arrive each day to prepare. An average of 400 children per day arrived in eager expectation of Bible stories, fun games and making new friends. And every day, Stacey would pray for her vision to become reality – that children would have the opportunity to hear about the gospel of Jesus, and for people’s lives to be changed.
“I like to see the community come together, and to make a difference in children’s lives,” she said. “It’s going to get into the homes.”
By the end of the week, Comanche chapel had seen a grand total of 2,017 children in attendance.
Kenny and Joy Lowe serve as the leaders of our Children’s Ministry for Protestant congregations. This summer, Joy led two VBS sessions. The first occurred at 19th Street Chapel in early June, with almost 60 children participating. Her second session occurred a couple of weeks later at the Kouma Village elementary school, with almost 50 attending. What made it additionally special was the crew of volunteer churchmembers from Florida and Colorado who came to support Joy. For each of those weeks, the children were drawn into an exciting, fun-filled journey into Biblical truth for their lives.
Joy recalled her own experiences with VBS when she was a young girl.
“It had a big impact on my life,” she said. “It’s worth it.” Worth the time, the expense and the preparation on behalf of the children. Her desire was to impart a Christian influence in their lives and, toward the end, she said that even those kids who were a little shy and withdrawn at the beginning were glad they were part of VBS.
But we’re not finished, yet. Our Chapel Next congregation is hosting VBS Aug. 6-10 at the Spirit of Fort Hood Chapel. Last summer, they averaged 220 children every day for VBS, with 65 volunteers each day. This year, their final night will also host a ministry fair to show what will be coming up for the following year. It’s just as Caron Palmer, the Chapel Next Religious Education Coordinator told me: “It’s a Family ministry, a stepping stone to getting connected in chapel.” If you would like your child to attend the August VBS, call Caron at 338-1903.
Related Articles
- No related articles found.
Popular Editorial Articles