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Liberty Baptist entertains children with Scuba themed VBS. (Reporter photos/Rachel Raiford)

By RACHEL RAIFORD | Staff Writer

CHELSEA – With smiles on their faces and chants echoing the halls, children spread throughout Liberty Baptist Church for its annual week of Vacation Bible School. 

This year’s Scuba theme not only brought bright and vibrant decorations to the annual program but also an enlightening message on how to “dive into friendship with God.”

As director of Preschool and Children’s Ministries, Ashley Cox was able to lead her team and the children through long days of learning, playing and finding a way to bring God into the lives of everyone in attendance. 

“The kids get to have fun and realize that church is fun and it’s for everyone,” Cox said. “This week brings people together that don’t serve on Sunday, so they’re hearing messages from someone other than me this week.” 

With more than 180 volunteers, the theme came to life all over the building. “We had everyone decorating in the worship hall,” Cox said. “It was awesome to see everyone come together to make this happen for our kids.” 

In addition to helping them prepare for the week, church volunteers stuck around to lead each group of kids through bible messages, games and crafts.

There were children from preschool up to fifth grade at VBS and each leader had the opportunity to teach a message. While VBS cuts off at fifth grade, older kids were able to get in on the fun too. 

“Sixth through 12th grade love it,” Cox said. “Once they graduate out of VBS, they still get to be a part of it through serving the church.” 

While the children attending VBS were playing games and doing crafts or science experiments, the older kids were right alongside of them participating. 

Cox said that one of her favorite parts of VBS is the interactions between the kids and leaders. Not only do the leaders get to reach out to each child from the church, they also get to be around kids they don’t see in church on Sunday. 

“It’s high energy, it’s colorful and it’s exciting,” Cox said. “They get to learn on their level while reaching kids we wouldn’t ordinarily reach. Of the 376 registered, about one-third of them don’t go to church anywhere, and about half of the kids registered don’t go to our church.

“I love to see all of these kids coming together to learn about God and at the end some of them do make the decision to give their lives to Him. That’s why we do it.”

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