Walking barefoot on wet towels to simulate the crossing of the Jordan River. Hiding like Israelite spies on Rahab’s roof. Watching the walls of Jericho fall down.
Children at Westwood Baptist Church, Alabaster, in Shelby Baptist Association took a Wild Ride Through God’s Word at Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer.
Since moving to its new facility in March 2006, VBS enrollment at Westwood Baptist — led by Pastor Les Hughes — jumped from 765 last year to 1,044 this year.
‘Incredible’ workers
“We really don’t know what to attribute it (the growth) to,” said Jenny Funderburke, minister to children. “We moved from an area in the middle of a neighborhood.
“Now we are located about a mile from I-65 right behind a new shopping center in Alabaster. We are pulling from a wider area, but also our kids were more into inviting friends.”
Although VBS enrollment increased beyond her expectations, she said hard-working volunteers made the week a success.
“We had an incredible group of volunteers — lots who planned on helping from the beginning and lots who jumped in and did whatever we needed,” Funderburke said.
“We also had great directors who took everything in stride and didn’t panic. We could not have done it without them.”
Overall she believes God really blessed the week.
“He sent the volunteers and the supplies that we needed, which we should not be surprised by,” Funderburke said. “If He’s going to send the children, He’s going to take care of everything else.” (TAB)
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