Seekers in Sneakers

July 11, 2024

This week is Vacation Bible School week at Galilee—we’re challenging kids to become amateur sleuths by digging into their Bible for clues that point the way to Jesus. This investigative journey has many twists and turns, so campers will have to ask questions, work with others, and shine their own individual lights on the path of discovery.

It’s not just a mental exercise, oh no. Galilee is partnering with the coaches at GamePoint Athletics to present an active, energetic VBS filled with sports games housed in and outside the church. Although mostly inside, because it is hot, hot, hot! 

The coaches and volunteers of this year’s VBS

Vacation Bible School week is always the “funnest,” as well as the loudest and craziest, week of the year at Galilee. This summer is no different. We’ve welcomed 55 campers to our church to sing, shout, clap, and dance along to our high-energy worship videos.

Dancing at VBS

They never suspect it, but one of Galilee’s most cherished traditions is to throw our newest employees into the thick of things by starting them at work during VBS week. It was therefore no surprise (to us) to see brand new Senior Pastor Mike Plasters playing multiple roles in our opening worship skits. He played a woodworker, a rabbi, and a marketplace friend to our lead actresses, Suzi Leftwich and Vanessa Wells. The kids loved it.

“It’s wonderful to see so many happy faces,” says Pastor Mike. “I’m grateful to the amazing volunteers who make VBS happen.”

 

Suzi, Pastor Mike, and Vanessa ham it up on stage                           

In addition to games, activities, crafts, skits, stories, and worship, every summer at VBS we do a mission project to serve our community. This year, we’re asking kids to bring food items to our “Jerusalem marketplace.” These items will help replenish the food pantry of our award-winning Backpack Buddies program, which aids with food insecurity in Loudoun County public schools.
 
“The kids are excited that they’re not just talking about Jesus,” explains Suzi, our VBS head honcho. “They are going further and doing the work that Jesus wants us to do. I know that all these children are having a really fun week, but I also know that for many of them this is the beginning of a meaningful faith journey. I ask that we all pray that this journey continues throughout their lives.”
 
While our younger crew of 55 campers are enjoying VBS, a separate group of a dozen middle schoolers are going out in the community to do volunteer projects at our annual Summer Serve (SRV). Youth Ministry coordinator Lisa Collins is leading that contingent with Serve Director Felicia Johnson and valued volunteers. New Associate Pastor Steven Carr joined them on Monday, pitching in to help at Leesburg’s Mobile Hope. 
 
We thank our volunteers and staff for giving of their time and their patience! We’ll have more news about VBS at our worship service this Sunday and a report on Summer Serve a bit later on.
 
Until then, check out the pics :

VBS week is the funnest, and definitely the loudest, week of the summer