The school year is starting for students and educators throughout our Conference. The folks at Pleasant Hill UMC in Kincheloe are excited for the school year to resume. Each summer, this rural congregation hosts Vacation Bible School for their community, and this year, after a few years of doing things differently, they were back in full swing. More than seventy children participated in VBS, and twenty youth served as volunteers for the program. Vacation Bible School is more than a one-time summer event; it’s a fantastic way to connect the congregation to young people in their community.
During the school year, Pastor Destry Daniels meets kids and teachers Tuesday mornings around the flagpole to pray with them before the start of the school day at a local elementary school. On Wednesday mornings, Jennifer Paugh (VBS Coordinator) gathers with folks at the middle school to do the same. They are hoping to get “Prayer at the Pole” started this fall at the high school.
Each year they kick off the school year with Hawk Sunday in the high school gym, a community worship service that brings kids together and unites their community. Jennifer shared, “The work we’re doing is building the kingdom. These kids may never come to our church, but I want them to know that we love them and more importantly God loves them.”
So how does a small congregation with an average attendance of forty people connect with hundreds of kids each year? And how did half of the congregation become young people? The church is filled with adults who prioritize youth and helping them grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. When planning for VBS, there is a sign-up sheet for donations and volunteers, and the congregation has a prayer vigil. Every person supports ministering to children in the community with their gifts, talents, and witness.
At Pleasant Hill UMC, young people know they matter – the church leaders encourage students to participate in discussion-based Sunday School and invite the older students to lead during VBS. Speaking about faith is modeled for these young people, and students learn not to be afraid to talk about faith or their doubts. “Our kids learn at an early age how to pray, have faith, and be a faithful disciple. We want them to know that even though they don’t come from a big church, they can still shine bright for Jesus in big ways, ” Jennifer added. Several of the church’s high school students even started a Bible Study club at their school this past spring! Pleasant Hill UMC shares the good news of Jesus Christ with their young people, encouraging and empowering them to share it with their school, their community, and the world.
How might your congregation connect with kids and schools in your community?
Ideas for how to support your students and schools
- Provide a meal for teachers on in-service day
- Volunteer to coach a sports team or supervise an after-school activity
- Collect school supplies for teachers and students (tissues and
- Stock the teacher’s lounge with fresh fruit, granola bars, and bottled water
- Volunteer to spruce up the exterior or interior of the building
- Adopt a school sports team (middle school or high school) and feed them before every home game. Ask to pray before the meal.
- Pass out pencils with a Pencil Prayer at your elementary school. Pray over the pencils and then take them to the school. (The school cannot distribute them, but the teachers may be able to put them in a central place and the kids can take one if they want.)
Backpack tags (and stickers!) for students
A blessing for backpacks packed for school
Does your church support your local schools? Tell us all about it! Submit your stories to sjames@wvumc.org.
