Written by Whitley Kilcrease

Boys and Girls club holds Vacation Bible School

“A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! That’s what my God is to me!”

Dozens of children and volunteers at Vacation Bible School have been singing and dancing this week while learning about the promises of God at the Boys and Girls Club of Pike and Surrounding Areas.

“We didn’t want to get too fancy with the lessons,” said Amy Drinkard, co-coordinator of the VBS. “So were teaching them the basic concept of the gospels.”

The theme of VBS is “Promises of God” and the primary goal of the week is to bring others to know Christ.

“God was calling us,” Drinkard said. “Instead of trying to bring the kids to a church, we brought church to them.”

Drinkard, along with Fran Renfroe and Robbie Calk, organized VBS with the help of about 50 local youths. Several local churches also provided support, such as the First Baptist Church of Troy, Bush Memorial Baptist Church, Southside Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church.

According to Drinkard, more than 80 youngsters attended Monday’s session and nearly 100 participated in Tuesday’s events.

“We’ve been having fun and learning new things,” said Zaria Brundidge, 12. “We’ve learned about how much Jesus loves us and that he died for our sins.”

Drinkard said the volunteers emphasize the message of God’s promises with the help of “salvation bracelets.” The bracelets were part of the arts and crafts activity the first day, with each child making his own. Six different colored beads decorate the bracelet, each representing a different Bible verse and a promise that God has made.

Black signifies that all people have sinned, red represents the blood of Jesus, through which you achieve salvation and forgiveness of sins, and blue is a reminder to believe in your heart that Jesus is your salvation. White represents the purity when Jesus washes away sin, green serves as a reminder to grow in Christ and yellow signifies heaven’s streets of gold where Christ’s followers will one day walk beside Him.

Dakarai Siler, 12, said crafting the salvation bracelets has been his favorite part of the VBS activities so far.

“They signify what God has done for us over the years,” Siler said. “It also reminds us that Jesus died for our sins.”

Drinkard said VBS begins each morning at 9 a.m. with a worship rally to get the kids excited and eager to learn. Activities throughout the day emphasize the message and theme of VBS, from arts and crafts and recreation to Bible study and prayer. And, of course, there is designated music time with singing and dancing.

“It is the hope that changes lives,” Drinkard said. “He is our hope. Jesus loves us all the same. We want these children to know that.”

There are also other craft activities planned for the week, including picture frames, to represent what the children are learning during VBS about God’s love for them and how much He wants to be a part of their lives. The younger children will make star hangers and star light catchers to remind them of God’s promise to be with us when we need him, no matter what. Older girls will make cross necklaces while boys make cross door hangers to also remind them that God is always with them.

Activities each day conclude at noon with lunch provided.

“The Boys and Girls Club has done such a good job.” Drinkard said. “This is a safe place and a great environment for kids to learn. Their doors are always open.”

For more information, contact the Boys and Girls Club at 770-2582.