First Baptist Prattville Blog

Missions in Alaska

Senior Adults Summer Gathering

Here is the church and here is the steeple...

When First Baptist Church Prattville students travel on choir tour every summer, they do more than sing and lead in worship services. Students spend a large amount of the week serving.

When Bri DeKruyff was a junior in high school, she couldn’t quite figure out what her next steps after graduation would be. Starting college didn’t feel right to her, so she began exploring a gap year.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) brings five days of energy and excitement that is a catalyst for salvation decisions and spiritual growth. The discipleship-intensive week encompasses worship rallies, small group Bible studies, missions involvement and of course, snacks and friendly competition. First Baptist Church Prattville (FBCP) will host kids ages four years old through sixth grade June 24-28. This year’s theme is “Breaker Rock Beach” with the goal of teaching God’s rock-solid truth in a world of shifting sands. “Every day, children will hear about the good news of Jesus, and how the truth found in scripture is rock solid,” said Anna Stockman, FBCP’s Children’s Ministry Director. “Children will also have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned and live out the messages they are hearing.” This year’s biblical content tackles cultural half-truths. In an age-appropriate way, the ideas of “truth can be different for different people,” “do what makes you happy” and “if you don’t agree with me, you don’t love me” will be addressed. Leaders will use Scripture to demonstrate how these mindsets do not line up with God’s Word, and kids will learn how to lovingly respond to these beliefs. “My prayer is that the counter-cultural Bible content of Breaker Rock Beach will be a catalyst for conversation between children and parents,” Julie Parmer, FBCP Preschool Ministry Director, said. “I pray parents and children will learn to recognize the difference between what the world says is true and what God says is true.” According to Lifeway Research , 69% of American parents will encourage their child to participate in VBS at a church they don’t attend if invited by a friend. Every year, FBCP welcomes a significant number of guests. VBS is FBCP’s largest, evangelical outreach each year with an average attendance of 764 kids and leaders. “As long as children are coming, we must share the life changing message of Jesus with them,” added Parmer. “VBS is a super opportunity for Christ followers to serve together with fellow church members with the common goal of leading boys and girls to a heart-transforming relationship with Jesus. What could be more rewarding?” VBS as a local mission trip An important piece of the discipleship plan with VBS is the focus on missions. Teaching kids we are sent on mission takes priority each day. Not only will kids participate in a missions rotation, but a friendly competition between boys and girls on raising money for a specific mission is a highlight of the week. “This year our VBS offering will go to Liberty Church in Craig, Alaska so that we can join them in a project called ‘Adopt a Village,’” said Larry Jenkins, FBCP Missions Pastor. “This project is a way to livestream worship and Bible study to towns and villages that don’t have a church.” The money raised will provide the livestream equipment, specifically one year of internet service and a large screen television, to a village Liberty Church selects. “We want our children and families to remember that through prayer and our missions giving, we are part of God’s kingdom in places both near and far,” said Jenkins. “We look forward to someday working alongside Pastor Cody Schwegel of Liberty Baptist Church as they plant a church in the village they adopt.” The 2023 VBS missions offering raised $5,144. Livestream equipment could be provided for three villages if the same amount is contributed this year. Kids in first through sixth grade give each day during the morning worship rally. Preschool children bring their offering to their classrooms. The day’s total giving is announced at the closing worship rally. Serving at VBS Whether assisting with a small group Bible study, greeting kids in the mornings or volunteering at Wednesday’s Family Fun Night, serving at VBS is rewarding! If you want to be part of this large evangelism event, reach out to Stockman or Parmer to find the best volunteer role for you.

FBCP Lead Pastor will move to Tallahassee, Florida to start the church planting process through City Church.