LEESVILLE, La. (LBM) – Leaders with First Baptist Church, Leesville, changed their approach to Vacation Bible School and in the end witnessed six children and one student volunteer make decisions for Christ.
Held June 24-29, the VBS drew 69 youngsters in the mornings, a departure from previous years when the outreach was held in the evening. Children’s Minister Kiersten Nolen told the Baptist Message that they incorporated more time for Bible study and missions and on the final day presented the Gospel during a group assembly time.
“All of our decisions were by boys and some of them have been coming to activities at our church for several months,” Nolen said. “Throughout the week they heard the Gospel in the classes and by that final night decided to come forward. It was just exciting to see all the hard work of Bible school pay off for these kids who made decisions.”
Once the VBS concluded, church leaders followed up with the youngsters, and three were baptized on July 7. Among those was Kacen Smith, who accepted Jesus during the large group Gospel presentation June 27.
Smith said he “felt relief” after he was baptized alongside his cousin, Damian Berrios, and classmate John Rogers.
His dad, Dustin, said he prayed for many years that his son would come to Christ and to see that finally happen was among the happiest moments of his life.
“God answers prayers,” he said. “When I saw him come up out of the water, I was so pleased and was
reminded that he was not only my son but now my brother in Christ. Knowing that your children have
come to Christ and will spend an eternity in heaven is so comforting.”
Pastor Darin Worthington said he was thrilled to see so many children grow deeper in their faith and
for 40 of the 69 children who returned the following Sunday for a family day that included worship,
water slides and a lunch.
“It was such a joy to have our church full of the echoes of children celebrating Jesus loves them,”
he said. “Thursday was the Gospel presentation day, and I was so happy when I asked those to stand if
they trusted Jesus to be their Savior. There were six that stood up to proclaim Jesus as Lord. Praise the Lord.”
