New Around the Mission
Innovative VBS Program Taps Church Members’ Creative Talents
August 29, 2011
Most churches turn to existing curriculum when planning their summer VBS. Instead, HopePointe Anglican Church in The Woodlands, Texas, took a creative tack. They dreamed up and designed every aspect of their original “Big Red Barn at Parable Pond” VBS that ministered to 72 children the week of July 18-22.
“The Big Red Barn was inspired by our wonderfully artistic and creative team of Tricia Lowenfield and Cindy Taylor,” says Hillarrie Jones, Children’s Ministry Pastor and Director of VBS. “They came up with the idea for the Big Red Barn, the characters and the skits. Tricia has a real love of red barns and the two women were able to incorporate the parables’ messages into farming and barnyard life.”
Each day, a character named “Parson Paul” told the children a parable, including “The Good Shepherd,” “The Lost Sheep,” “The Sower,” and “The Mustard Seed.” Other characters, Mr. Greenjeans and his friends Poppy, Birdie and Packard the Pack Rat, retold each parable through a child-friendly skit. The rest of the mornings were filled with theme-related songs like “Down by the Big Red Barn at Parable Pond” — written by Tricia especially for VBS — snacks, crafts and games. The children also collected $100 in coins for the Pregnancy Assistance Center North, a local non-profit supporting individuals facing unplanned pregnancy.
Hillarrie was particularly touched by an interaction she observed between an adult volunteer and a child during the parable of “The Lost Sheep.” The boy became upset during a group game and was on the verge of tears, so the volunteer took him into the stairwell to talk about what he was feeling.
“That interaction between a hurting child and a caring adult really demonstrated to me the parable of ‘The Lost Sheep,’” Hillarrie says. “The adult truly became a shepherd to that young man; they talked it through and the young man returned to the group upbeat and ready to join the game.”
By the end of the week the children had learned new songs and most importantly about Jesus Christ and his love for them. The “Big Red Barn at Parable Pond” concluded with a water slide and an evening performance of special VBS songs for the congregation, which provided the support and manpower to make the week possible. Almost 70 church members volunteered in various capacities, and some even donned costumes and acted their hearts out like Paul Lewis or “Mr. Greenjeans.”
“I have no theatrical background or training except for a stint last year as a puppeteer,” he says. “I just turned 68 and will come back every year VBS will have me. It was a God thing!”
Learn more at HopePointe.org.
Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Children
