Vacation bible schools popular in Sedalia

Paper palm trees and tropical artwork line the hallways of New Hope Baptist Church, where 177 children are showing up each morning for “Outrigger Island” vacation Bible school this week.

Lisa Duchesne, VBS director for New Hope, said children participate in multiple activities each day.

“We have crafts, music, recreation, snack time and a Bible story every day,” Duchesne said.

Children ranging from preschool to eighth grade make whistles out of popsicle sticks at the craft cabana, learn Bible stories and sing songs during the VBS that began Monday and runs through today.

New Hope joins dozens of Sedalia churches that offer youngsters VBS sessions combining Scripture lessons with summertime fun.

Hollee Akers, 10, said there is much to do. “We have classroom time and learn Bible stories,” Hollee said.

Some 74 volunteers help escort children each day and teach them Bible lessons.

Jessica Turner and Sydney Vance have been volunteering during vacation Bible school for four years.

“We like it a lot; it gives us something to do,” Vance said.

“We work with all age groups, and it’s fun to do,” Turner said.

First Baptist Church is also host to VBS this week. Volunteers in white lab coats help to incorporate the theme, “Power Lab: Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power.”

“Volunteers in lab coats are scientists, and the children are fun-ologists,” coordinator Kristine White said.

Fun-ologists rotate among six stations, including hyper-speed games, test tube treats, missions mixtures, cinema science, wacky works crafts and Bible blast.

“It’s a fun theme and a new approach to sharing Jesus with the kids,” White said.

Some 215 children ranging from preschool through sixth grade are enrolled for VBS — including 27 children and adults from the Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis, Ill.

Diamond Dent, 8, of Illinois, said she learned a lot at VBS.

“I learned that Jesus walked on water and he put mud on a blind man’s eyes and he could see again,” Diamond said.

Ten-year-old Mariah Clary enjoys everything about VBS.

“I like all of it because you can do a lot of fun activities, and you learn what to do and what not to do,” Mariah said.

Both churches will celebrate their weeklong events at their Sunday morning services. New Hope Baptist Church will hold a Sunday morning luau where the children will perform songs for the congregation. They have also planned a swim party at Centennial Park pool Sunday evening.

First Baptist Church will feature children singing and reviewing their Bible lessons at their Sunday morning service.