Port Orchard Adventist Church, with multiple denomination partners, transformed its campus into Wonder Junction, creating an environment where 68 children from the church and community could discover Jesus.
Community and church members' children were mesmerized to find the church transformed into an Old West town and train station for Vacation Bible School. The moment they entered the lobby, children were met with Western props of saddles, wooden barrels and wagon wheels.
Each morning, the “train conductor” handed each of the 68 children their name badges from the church library window, which had been turned into a train station. Then they passed through a mock Conestoga wagon archway to attend the All Aboard Assembly, where they participated in songs, stories, drama and contests.
One of the main centerpieces of the Old West town was a constructed locomotive engine that would spew realistic smoke from a hidden fog machine.
Other church artists made pictures come to life with a church on a hill, a stagecoach with windows for a photo booth and a gold mine featuring memory verses and glow-in-the-dark railroad tracks that directed children to their classes. The week also included a craft room with lifelike cactuses and other details that helped carry the Old West theme throughout the church each day.
A portable puppet theater engaged the children with lessons about the life of Jesus, a small tractor and trailer ferried the children up the hill for games and snacks and a craft station wove homemade creations into Bible truths.
The church began promoting VBS two months in advance through social media, community Facebook pages and a street banner.
The group of 50 volunteers was composed of members of the Adventist church, as well as members from the nondenominational church that rents the church on Sundays. Other creative talent came from volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who spent part of their summer vacation helping create an immersive, hands-on, multisensory experience centered on helping children meet Jesus.
At the end of the week, each child received a take-home adventure goody bag that included their crafts, a VBS stagecoach portrait, information about next year’s theme and an invitation to return for church and upcoming events.
The sets eventually came down, but, through the creativity and dedication of dozens of volunteers, 68 children were given another opportunity to learn about Jesus and connect with a church community.
The church library window, transformed into a train station, welcomes children to Wonder Junction each day.
Dozens of volunteers collaborate to make Wonder Junction VBS a success.
Children gather for All Aboard Assembly for songs, stories, fun and prayer.
A handmade locomotive transforms Port Orchard Church into an immersive Old West setting.
