Our campus was filled with music and excitement as we explored the gospel of Matthew at TRUE NORTH: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World. We had 70 campers, our highest number since 2019! It was only possible because we also had an abundance of volunteers – 19 youth and 36 adults. Wow!!

Huge thanks to everyone to contributed to VBS, especially the center leaders who organized the various areas. Their hours of preparation made the week run smoothly.

There is no tired quite like “VBS tired,” but there’s also nothing quite like “VBS energy.” The songs will be playing on loop in our brains for weeks to come, and the sheer joy of witnessing the unrestrained exuberance as the children experience God’s love in our sacred space is incomparable.

As always, the presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable the entire week, so it was perfectly fitting that Friday’s theme was all about Pentecost and the Great Commission. Truly, we lived out the Great Commission this week.

The army of volunteers who made VBS so successful:

Crafts: Laurel Goetz-Williams, Nancy Griner, Sharon Hansen; Music: Heather Roca; Recreation: Greg Andrews and his fabulous granddaughter Cheyene Hencley; Snack: Pam Denton, Vicki Conway, Diane Eberhart, Cheryl Wheeler, Liz Ludwig, Grayce Rector, Jaclyn Faircloth; Sticky Scripture: Deb Herron, Judith Kimsey; Registration and carpool: Amanda Livermont.

Shepherds: Ana Ittayem, Barbara Goodwin, Beth Fisher, Carolyn Coil, Chris Rouse, Christina Dedo, Eva Mitchell, Josh Hurst, Kim Schmidt, Lindsay Isaacs, Olivia Bridges, Pam Player, Scott Fisher, Susan Jung, Tom Penna.

Youth: Arabella L, Caroline W, Cyrus L, Declan M, Denton L, Ella Y, Emelia F, Emmanuel M, Graydon F-M, Hannah L, Harper S, Kenley F, Maddie F-M, Miranda L, Rory M, Wolfgang L, Noah L, Allyson F, Chloe W.

Special thanks to Fr. Tim for his spiritual guidance throughout the week: sharing the Bible to 5 groups every day, praying at opening and closing, and setting the tone for the week. And to Mandy Johnson and Jessie Hurst for managing the youth, leading opening and closing, and always being willing to fill in wherever needed. They modeled servant leadership as well as cheerful flexibility.

And finally, special thanks to Susan Carson and Karen Wilson, who fielded countless phone calls and emails, helped people register on Realm, and then assisted throughout the week behind the scenes. Karen even led yoga during recreation on Friday.

Being able to work alongside these incredible people is a true privilege, and I am always grateful for the opportunity to head up an amazing week of VBS. Being able to see God at work in ALL the details, and to witness God’s perfect provision is both awe-inspiring and humbling. I pray that everyone leaves this week feeling as blessed as I do.

Terri Hurst

Watch for more photos to be posted in the coming week!

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