Last May, Ron Hart, Hood River (Ore.) Church pastor, asked each church-board member to report on his or her activities for the past month, as is his custom. Jessica Bailey, acting personal ministries director, had a particular burden on her heart for a church outreach plan that would effect the community. Bailey presented several ideas. One was to conduct a cooking class. Another was to have a Vacation Bible School. There was quite a stir among members, as there had not been a VBS in Hood River since the mid-1980s. The motion was quickly accepted.
The school year for Mid Columbia Adventist Christian School ended June 9. Bailey did not want to wait to have VBS until mid-summer or August. VBS was set for June 27–June 30.
Marquita Hart, pastor's wife, was voted assistant. Working together, plans were quickly developed. A team of volunteers was put together of members from both the Hood River Church and the White Salmon (Wash.) Church.
Peter Hardy, MCACS principal, gave the okay to use the school's gym. This was special because many of the students from the community attend this school. Each evening began with a song service singing familiar and new choruses led by Matt Cole and Jessica Bailey. After prayer, the children were separated into different groups. Some did crafts as led by Lisa Allen and Jan McCullough. Others went into a beautiful blue tent where Ron Hart told Bible stories. Outside, Hart, Robert Bailey and Meridith Cole organized a water game.
Children went home telling parents how much fun they had and hearts were directed to God.
