KINGSTON TWP. — The Trucksville United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School inspired one 9-year-old to ask a deep question Tuesday night.
“Is Jesus, God?” asked Cole Johnston, of Trucksville.
The question was on the youngster’s mind for a while. But after hearing the story of how Jesus walked on water and called his Disciple Peter out of a boat, which held all the Disciples, and into the stormy Sea of Galilee, Johnston seized the opportunity and asked Pastor Dick Williams.
Johnston was among nearly 50 children, who ranged from pre-school to sixth grade, who attended the church’s annual Vacation Bible School, which was held July 24-28, at the church located at 40 Knob Hill Road.
The children were divided into age groups and participated in a variety of activities that incorporated the message of how “God strengthens us,” said Pastor Dick Williams.
“Wow, that is an eighth-grade type-question,” Williams said to Johnston. “Are you ready for an eighth-grade answer? Jesus is God in a way we can understand.”
The open dialog with the community’s youngest residents was what organizers and Williams wanted to create. The program had a different theme each day that included God Cares, God Listens, God Strengthens, God Loves and God Sends Us, Williams said.
“We want them to go out and tell others (about what they learned),” Williams said.
The children even learned how they could help strengthen others through the church’s service mission, called the Heifer Project.
The project is sponsored by an organization called Heifer International, which collects donations to provide impoverished families in America and other countries with livestock and education to build up the region’s sustainability.
“A lot of area churches support the Heifer Project,” said Jennifer Rinehimer, a VBS organizer.
Rinehimer said the Trucksville United Methodist Church is collecting funds to purchase an “ark,” costing $5,000. The “ark” includes two water buffaloes, two cows, two sheep, two goats, bees, chicks, rabbits and more, according to the organization’s website, www.heifer.org.
The parish collection has raised about $400 towards the goal, she said. The church will continue collecting through August.
The VBS children are encouraged to bring in whatever change they can, Rinehimer said.
“So far (as of Tuesday) the children collected about $25,” she said.
The Lands at Hillside Farms brought in a calf, and Phil, a rooster, to show the children the types of animals that may be provided by the Heifer Project.
Kaylee Shaw, 9, of Swoyersville, liked seeing the animals, but her favorite part of VBS was “learning the Bible story with Pastor Williams.”
“He makes church fun,” she said.
When asked what she learned Tuesday, Shaw said, “Trust in God and he will strengthen you.”
