Church uses jungle theme for vacation bible school
Published 12:02 am Sunday, June 7, 2015
![Children rehearse for their opening skit before Vacation Bible School begins at Parkway Baptist Church on June 8. The camp runs from June 8-12 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Sam Gause / Natchez Democrat)](https:https://www.natchezdemocrat.com//wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2015/06/060715_VacationBibleSchoolSetUp1MAIN_web_SG.jpg)
Children rehearse for their opening skit before Vacation Bible School begins at Parkway Baptist Church on June 8. The camp runs from June 8-12 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Sam Gause / Natchez Democrat)
NATCHEZ — The youth of Parkway Baptist Church will embark on a journey into uncharted territory to learn a prominent truth.
Jesus is the ultimate guide.
With the help of a waterfall, forest and a tree house, Parkway Baptist Church transformed its sanctuary into a jungle — all in the efforts to promote its Vacation Bible School program.
“Wow, look at all these animals,” Lynlee Kingsafer, 7, said using her imagination and the various props around her.
Vacation Bible School, which will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday for one week only, will teach children the Bible story of Daniel and how Jesus is the ultimate guide.
The church will host a short skit at 10:45 a.m. today that will feature 12 children as they walk into an unknown area and discover they can’t find their way with Google or a GPS, but only through Jesus.
“You can get really lost without Jesus,” Tate Breithaupt said, who will portray a lost explorer. “You can get lost in sin.”
Breithaupt, 10, is a home-schooled student who uses Jesus as his guide by praying before doing his schoolwork.
Rileigh Walters, 12, will help Breithaupt find his way through the jungle during the skit by instructing him to find a guide.
And although this guide can’t be seen, Breithaupt will hear a strong voice, directing him in the right direction.
“This is the way, walk in it,” said Ferrell Kingsafer, who will portray the voice of God in the skit.
Walters said it’s important to use Jesus as a guide, even until death.
“Jesus can show you how to learn and follow Him so you can one day meet Him in Heaven,” Walters said.
Vacation Bible School Director Louan Pevey said children should learn about Jesus at an early age to help build a strong foundation.
“We don’t want to follow the map of the world, but God’s map,” Pevey said.
Pevey said the skit would engage the youth in an interesting manner.
“It just gets their attention,” Pevey said. “But to me, it shows the congregation our theme and how we are going to reach out to the children.”
Amy Kingsafer said it’s been a great experience to work on decorating the sanctuary with several church members.
“I use Pinterest a lot, where I got the idea for the waterfall,” Kingsafer said.
Vacation Bible School will serve students from kindergarten to sixth-grade and will have praise music, refreshments, recreation and creative crafts.
Parkway Baptist Church is located on 117 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive.