Ecumenical Vacation Bible School in Louisiana, Missouri.

1. Ecumenical Vacation
Bible School 2012
Sponsored by these Louisiana, Missouri
churches:
First Christian, Bethel AME, Calvary
Episcopal, Centenary United Methodist,
Elmwood Presbyterian, First Presbyterian,

2. Louisiana Ecumenical VBS
Seven local churches working
together
to promote God’s love for all!
Any Age Any Race
Any Faith

3. Bigger and Better
• Our very first year we
planned for 40.
-We got 60!
• The 2nd year we planned
for 60.
-We got 70!
• This year, our 10 th

4. We’re going to need a bigger
building before too long!

5. Reflections
I want to express my feelings on the benefits
of having Vacation Bible School for the
children in this community. It is a great
thing to see the different denominations of
churches get together each summer to pull
together this event. For a lot of the kids,
this is the only time they are together in a
church getting to hear about God and His
plan for their lives. It gives us volunteers
the opportunity to “plant the seed” in their
hearts that hopefully will someday grow
into a desire to learn more about God. VBS
stresses to the children that even though
they all may look different on the outside,
God doesn’t judge them on their physical

6. Reflections
It’s Friday and so far at VBS I have seen a
lot of diversity. In my group I have
personally seen kids of all
ages, races, religions, social
backgrounds and other diversities
holding hands silently in prayer.
-Kelsey H., high school volunteer
I love the way all the kids get along so
well and have so much fun. I also think it
is amazing how everyone helps the little

7. Reflections
Our town has been hit terribly hard by the recession.
Large employers had massive layoffs, small
businesses have gone under, numerous houses have
been repossessed, and we are suffering from a
terrible drought and a record-setting heat wave.
For five evenings during a hot July, over 165 adults,
teenagers and children who were involved in our
local Ecumenical Vacation Bible School could put
any and all worries out of their minds because they
were truly happy to come together for this
ecumenical program.
I witnessed people from seven different churches
happily serving meals to everyone-and then spend
the rest of the evening visiting one another. I saw
teenagers, some of whom have very busy lives and
might be considered by some as “too cool” to lead
small children in activities, work wonderfully
well wit the youth. I saw children who were at VBS

8. Reflectio
ns
The Ecumenical Vacation Bible School I
Louisiana, MO. Is one of the finest
examples of a pluralistic union of
children, teenagers, and adults for
which I have had the privilege of
volunteering over the past ten years.
As I am one of the “older” volunteers (76
years) I worked with VBS years ago when
segregation was enforced.
The Christian harmony of the
multicultural group, adults, as well as
youngsters, is one of the greatest “God
Sightings” anyone can have.

9. Reflections
My very favorite God sighting this week was
that everyone (children, teens and adults)
were able to come together as friends and
children of God, that there were no
differences. My son’s crew leader told his
crew last night, that they had changed his life
and this week would forever be with him.
Thank you to his Crew Leader for sharing
those feelings with our children and possibly
changing their lives forever as well.
-Kim L., parent volunteer
We had a wonderful week with the kids. I can’t
wait to do it next year! I get so much from
those kids I just hope I give as much to them.
What a honor to be able to touch the lives of

10. Number #1 Recurring
Reflection
“I wish VBS was
every week!”
-several VBS kids, parents,
and volunteers
through the years

11. Thank You for the GRANT!
Louisiana
Ecumenical
VBS
Thank
You
From the bottom