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Print magazine

Image Credit: Jainnine Sowers

VBS Transforms Children’s Lives Through God’s Word

By Heidi Baumgartner, September 29, 2015

Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Transformation Life Center (TLC) in Olympia included something special this year: a fundraiser called Operation Kid-to-Kid to raise money to send New Testament Bibles to children in Thailand.

“We set an initial goal of 50 Bibles and a secondary goal of 100,” says Laurey Jones, TLC young adult member and one of the VBS leaders. “For every $4 the kids brought in, we were able to send one Bible to a kid in Thailand.”

Through the VBS program's catchy music, colorful decorations, easy-to-remember Bible points, fun crafts, yummy food, active games and amazing Bible stories, children at the Olympia VBS program learned about trekking through life with God.

“This year’s group of kids was ready to learn about all the wonderful gifts God has given us,” Jones says.

Early in the week, children decorated boxes to take home and fill up with change for the special fundraiser project. By the end of the week, they had raised enough funds to send 47 New Testament Bibles to children in Thailand.

On Sabbath morning, the VBS team presented at church about the results of the children’s fundraising efforts. The congregation not only helped the children reach their first goal for 50 Bibles but also donated enough funds for more than 100 Bibles.

“Vacation Bible School, along with other children’s ministries, has been a big part of my family for as long as I can remember,” Jones says. “It’s truly an honor to be able to help out and participate in VBS each year.”

Image

Children add stickers to decorate boxes during Vacation Bible School in Olympia. These boxes were used to collect monies for Bibles.

Credit
Jainnine Sowers
Image

Kaitlin and Korbon wanted to keep their Vacation Bible School boxes that were used to collect monies for Bibles.

Credit
Jainnine Sowers
Image

Children from Olympia, like Korbon and Kaitlin, raised funds at Vacation Bible School to send New Testament Bibles to children in Thailand.

Credit
Jainnine Sowers
Image

Vacation Bible School participants in Olympia sing and tell the church members about their fundraising project to send Bibles to Thailand. The church matched the amount children had raised.

Image

Children at the Olympia VBS program learn about trekking through life with God.

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Featured in: October 2015

Author

Heidi Baumgartner

North Pacific Union communication director and Gleaner editor
Section
Washington Conference

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The Gleaner is a gathering place with news and inspiration for Seventh-day Adventist members and friends throughout the northwestern United States. It is an important communication channel for the North Pacific Union Conference — the regional church support headquarters for Adventist ministry throughout Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The original printed Gleaner was first published in 1906, and has since expanded to a full magazine with a monthly circulation of more than 40,000. Through its extended online and social media presence, the Gleaner also provides valuable content and connections for interested individuals around the world.

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