“More precious than gold, more lasting than diamonds, is the greatest treasure of all — God's love!”
This theme for Vacation Bible School called Son Treasure Island captivated children from First Baptist Church, Richmond, held July 17-21. Studies based on 1 Corinthians 13 were used in an island setting to discover God's treasure.
To help with the Caribbean theme, volunteers from the Jamaica Baptist Union came as part of the partnership between the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. The JBU volunteers brought a genuine Caribbean flavor to the learning experience of the students, and by their presence reinforced God's treasured love for all peoples, regardless of race, culture or background.
The team was comprised of nine volunteers: Sheldon Grant (Minto Baptist Church), Jodi-Kaye Smith and Sophia Henry (Bethel Baptist Church, Half Way Tree Baptist Church), Gillian Francis (Tarrant Baptist Church and Caribbean Christian Publications), Kerry-Ann Russell, Michelle Williams and Kerry-Ann Martin (Linstead Baptist Church), and Lewis Williams and Etna Minott (St Ann's Bay Baptist Church).
They participated in the Sunday morning worship services at 8:30 and 11 as well as an intergenerational Sunday school class.
The JBU volunteers also worked with a team of 16 students from the Baptist College of Florida, teaching VBS and assisting in the community missions by preparing food packages for the homeless, sorting and painting.
Every member of the team has expressed joy for the experience in sharing with the believers in Richmond and in participating in the ministry of First Baptist Church. They found teaching VBS a fulfilling experience and look forward to an opportunity to share their experiences at home.
The Jamaican team has expressed appreciation for the teachers and co-workers and all those who made them feel welcome and comfortable. A special thanks to Deborah Upton, in charge of the FBC children's ministry and coordinator of the VBS program; Kathy Glass, who arranged transportation and the hosting of the team; and VBMB staff members, including John Upton, executive director; Craig Waddell, mission partnership coordinator; Alice Rusher, photographer; and Jerry Jones, team leader. We were delighted to tour the Virginia Baptist Resource Center and meet the staff of the board as well as the Woman's Missionary Union. Another highlight was a tour of historic Jamestown and a visit to Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond.
Special to the Herald
Gillian Francis is assistant director of Caribbean Christian Publications.