Multiple apartment complex managers have welcomed the Team Creation Vacation Bible School group to present at their complexes this summer. The program has seen over 500 children attendees so far this year.
While some whole-heartedly seek the shade of indoor living and its air-conditioned benefit during the summer heat, 30 teens (including 10 hired by the Youth Alive Department of the IA-MO Conference) toting tarps and tents in Kansas City are “blazing hot for the gospel” in available outdoor spaces.
Praise God for each of the apartment hosts, teen leaders and the 30 plus adult volunteers who have joined together to provide positive programs for the children — and praise Him even more for church and corporate sponsors who assist.
Some of these teen leaders have attended and/or have become graduates of Sunnydale Adventist Academy (SAA) within the last five years. Some of them are members of NC4Y (New Change For Youth), and some have become Team Creation leaders by attending VBS events with NC4Y in recent years. All of them acknowledge Jesus as Creator and Redeemer — the One who loves them and died to save them.
This year the teen leaders are blessed to each have a bed in the Central States Conference facility on Parallel Parkway. This gift has been graciously granted by our sister conference to show support for the work being done. Days are long, and nights are short, as set up for the full evening programs happen every afternoon after morning preparations. How wonderful it is that beds have been provided in a quiet resting place in the midst of the busy city for nighttime restoration.
Another amazing provision has been the loan of a bus by SAA so multiple families from smaller apartment complexes can send their children to a central larger apartment complex for the program. Mike Hansen, a member of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference and a licensed school bus driver who drives for the local public school system, graciously volunteered to drive the school bus for VBS on every night needed!
God in heaven, who does more than we can ask or think, has provided many benefits and kindnesses through additional partners in ministry for this initiative. These partners, who have provided remarkable support include: AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, the Hope Bus/Food Pantry of New Haven Church in Overland Park, Kansas and multiple teen and adult volunteers from Chapel Oaks Church in Shawnee, Kansas; Branding Stop, Party City and Hobby Lobby of KCK; Touchstone Endodontics in Lenexa, Kansas; and the Youth Alive Program of the Iowa-Missouri Conference.
Whether working indoors or outdoors this summer, let everyone that has breath praise the Lord!
