Two churches team up to host VBS
Two Farragut churches of different denominations partnered to hold “Surf Shack” Vacation Bible School.
Farragut Presbyterian Church and Faith Lutheran Church, both located off Jamestowne Road, pooled their resources to hold a bigger Vacation Bible School Monday, June 6, through Friday, June 10, Katina Sharp, Farragut Presbyterian Church children’s youth minister, said.
This is the fourth year the churches jointly held the event.
“When we moved from the old church [location] to this one, we ended up being next-door neighbors,” Dr. Robert Stelter, Faith Lutheran Church senior pastor, said. “So, it just made sense to do Bible school together.”
Sharp said the partnership allowed both churches to combine their resources and have a bigger and better Vacation Bible School.
“It’s actually led to a fun partnership,” she said.
“The two churches have a nice history and appreciation of each other, so we love partnering with them,” Stelter said.
Both churches are reformed, so their theologies are not very far off, Sharp said.
“But, regardless of what denomination we are, we worship the same God,” she said.
“We have done other ministries together — worship, progressive dinners, food pantry, Stephen Ministry, Trunk or Treat and Bible study — so with this Bible school, we could just block off the parking lots, and the kids could walk back and forth safely with adult supervision,” Stelter said. “That gives us two big buildings to use.
This year’s VBS’ overall theme is “Catch the Wave of God’s Amazing Love.”
The churches chose “Surf Shack” because it was a good summer theme, Stelter said.
“Every day, the children have stories, music, games, crafts and they learn about God’s love,” Sharp said. “We have six stations, plus opening and closing assembly. The children go to the same stations but the activities change each day.”
This year’s VBS had 110 participants ranging from ages 3 to 12 with older youth volunteering.
“The youth, this year, are very active,” Sharp said.
“The older kids shepherd the younger ones,” Heather Robin-son, a FPC member and VBS volunteer, said.
This year’s VBS focused on the beach but Sharp said, “I hope when [the attendees] leave [VBS], they will know these churches are safe places and, above all, the children are claimed and called by a God who loves them.”
