Vacation Bible School leaders at Transformation Life Center in Olympia, Wash., combined their imagination, talents and enthusiasm to bring "Paul and the Underground Church" to life for approximately 25 nightly attendees.
"VBS is a great family experience," say friends Alicia Colvin and Lizzy Barlow. "It's fun to be with so many kids at once."
Dressed in the clothing of the day, adult and youth volunteers assisted the children in exploring the ancient city as they patronized and chatted with shopkeepers in the marketplace, tried their hands at various crafts of that time, and participated in outdoor sports including a "chariot" race.
Dramas, stories with the Apostle Paul and sneaking by the guards to attend an underground church added interest and suspense to the daily activities.
"Everything was so vivid that one evening we needed to assure a wide-eyed boy that the people being portrayed were really ‘just pretend,'" says Rick Casebier, pastor, who played the role of Paul.
Terri Parker, VBS leader, and her assistants, Amanda Kegley and Weslyn Gunter, appreciate the number of volunteers who supported VBS and particularly the leadership of young people.
"Our youth stepped up to lead out," says Parker. "They are ministering to children in ways the adults cannot."
At left, Roman Guard Brutus (played by Larry Lee, head elder) is chained to Paul, third from left, (played by Rick Casebier, pastor), who is under house arrest. Standing by are junior guards, from left are: Matthew Gorton and Brian Lee. (Amanda Kegley)
Lizzy Barlow fits customer Dustin Wilson at the toga shop. (Amanda Kegley)
Children try their skills at woodworking at one of the crafts tables in the marketplace. The scroll-writing table is in the background. (Amanda Kegley)
From left: Nikki Gorton, Kim Gorton, Kandi Lee and Rick Wagner worship in the Underground Church. Not shown is: Peggy Casebier, VBS leader. (Amanda Kegley)
