SHELBYVILLE, ILL.—First Baptist Church, a group of 85 members in a community of 5,000, aimed to be different this summer in having more than the traditional Vacation Bible School.
On April 29 “Summer Outreach” presented itself to the members of our church, with the theme “Attempt Great Things, Expect Great Things!” Three separate evangelistic outreaches into our community would occur.
Vacation Bible School convened on June 11-15, with the theme “Investigating the Master’s Mission.” Through the ministry of puppetry, music, and drama kids were challenged by students from Cedarville University to learn the Scriptures and apply it in their own lives. But the church people still had to “step up to the plate” and help as counselors, work with games, and prepare treats each evening for the kids.
With Shelbyville situated on the banks of Lake Shelbyville, the church’s second summer event became “A Day at the Lake.” On August 11 the church rented a large lakeshore pavilion for the festivities. Members invited their friends and family to spend a relaxing day to show unsaved people that Christians can have a good time together and share the love and the message of Christ at the same time. Games for the kids and adults alike, radio-controlled boats for the kids to run in the water, swimming on the beach, three-legged races, water balloon fights, radio controlled cars, a limbo contest, and lots of prizes for the kids made the day. A pontoon boat for the day allowed the church to take about 65 people for a ride on the lake. An elderly woman who spends much of her time in a wheelchair was thrilled to get a chance to take the first boat ride she had ever been on! The afternoon of fun was followed by a good-old cookout with lots of food that the woman of the church prepared. The “New Life Quartet” capped off the evening with a concert of gospel music. The music and the testimonies they shared presented the Scriptures in a touching and uplifting way. Around 85 of the 100 who were present during the day stayed for the concert.
The final push for the end of the summer was the first ever “Block Party.”—Jim Sandquist, reporter
