Every summer churches throughout the Island hold Vacation Bible Schools with the aim of relaying the message of Christ through Bible stories, songs and crafts.

And this week The Royal Gazette spoke with Vacation Bible School (VBS) co-ordinators from two local churches to discover how things went this year.

Vera Mills of Wesley Methodist Church and Linda Smith from Bethel AME Church were both thrilled at the response to their VBS programmes.

"It went quite well. The kids had a lot of fun," Mrs. Mills said.

She said 20 children between the ages of five and 12 met daily at the Church Street facility last week. And although many Vacation Bible School programmes run during the evening, Wesley Methodist Church has long held theirs between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.

"'We started with music followed by Bible story telling, broke for mid morning snack then has crafts and games,'' Ms Mills said.

The theme for the week was 'Lord teach us to pray'."

Bible characters who prayed in difficult and unusual situations were used as examples.

"Jonah prayed in the belly of the whale and God heard him. Peter was in prison and because others were praying for him he was released. The kids learned that they can pray anytime anywhere."

Ms Mills explained that she sees VBS as an opportunity to build relationships within the neighbourhood.

"This is a mission of sharing and love. It doesn't matter where the children come from we are pleased to have them."

"This is an active and exciting way for children to learn of God. There is a possibility of life changing experiences for the children."

The response to Bethel's VBS programme held earlier this month broke the image of a kids only event. Vacation Bible School co-ordinator Linda Smith said 50 people, many of whom were adults, showed up for the first night of the programme which ran from August 13 to 17.

"We had teaching from Rev. Keith Hayward on the first three chapters of Genesis. The attendance was overwhelming."

And the adults, a mixture of church members and parents, stuck around to interact with the 15 children throughout the remainder of the week.

She added that one of the highlights of the event was the fellowship that developed between the participants who ranged in age from four to over 60.

"The interaction between adults and kids was nice. The adults could see what the kids were doing in the crafts and listen to the stories. I always made sure always there was something to eat and drink afterward.

"We ate well every evening and enjoyed the fellowship. The vacation bible school brought us together."

Ms Smith explained that the theme for the week was Beach Track which focused on Bible events that involved water.

"The introduction was Come meet Jesus.

"We then went from Jesus calming the storm to Lydia's conversion in the book of Acts.

She said she had a lot of support from her pastor, AME presiding elder Malcolm Eve and his wife.

Ms Smith added the skill of the teachers, Terry Cocks, Larry Williams, Alethia Gooden Bascome, and Rev. Larry Smith also helped to make her job easier.

"I would do it again.

"The kids were lovely.

"The Lord was in our vacation Bible school and he lifted us up."