Feature
By Michael Miller
6/20/22, Fernandina Beach

450 kids enrolled in the Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Fernandina, 1600 S. 8th St. The 5 day event ran from June 6-10. The theme was “Spark Studio, Created, Designed and Empowered for God’s purpose”. Kids were encouraged to identify their unique gifts and learn how they could be part of God’s plan for them.
(Featured photo at top: VBS kids perform for their families during VBS celebration service on 6-12-22 at First Baptist Church)
Each day was action packed with music, dance, scripture study, crats, outdoor recreation, devotion time and a snack. The annual event, led by Kids Ministry Pastor, Jonathon Murdock, involved a huge group of volunteers who planned, organized, decorated the entire facility and staffed the operation. It was an inspired, exciting event for the kids, who came from all around the county. 44 kids made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior during the week.


Raising an offering for Pate Ministries, Ecuador
Kids had a friendly competition to see who could raise the most money as an offering for the Pate Ministries, Ecuador Mission. The kids were promised the chance to throw a pie in the face of all the leaders if they exceeded the goal, and they did, raising $10,500. As you can see, it wasn’t pretty.
First Baptist Church sent a team down to Ecuador in April to support and work with the Kids Ministry there. Gary and Dena Pate, originally from Callahan, and their staff run weekly Bible clubs for kids. They minister to 400- 600 kids every week in some remote and poverty stricken areas. The First Baptist Kids offering will go a long way in supporting that effort.
Michael Miller, A retired fire Lieutenant/EMT from NY has been in FB for 8 years. He is a Sailing Captain and Instructor for Windward Sailing. He dabbles in theatre, photography, geopolitics and markets. Look for his writing here and at: https://firesail.substack.com