Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Blakeslee | Children across the Marne Division sing a song, during the closing celebration of...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. — While Vacation Bible School programs are common among churches, cathedrals and post chapels, VBS programs can trace their origins to a school teacher who had a heart for teaching the Bible to children assigned her.
Credit for the first VBS is given to a single Sunday school teacher D.T. Miles, who was living in Hopedale, Ill., and taught in the public schools.
Miles felt that the time she spent teaching children the Bible was severely limited, in 1894, she started a daily Bible school for children to attend during the summer. Forty students enrolled and the school lasted for a month, starting a rich history of Bible-based education which continues to this day.
During the week of June 4-8, the Main Post Chapel partook in this tradition and held its very own VBS entitled “Amazing Wonders Aviation.” Children from across the Marne Division landed at the chapel and enjoyed a week filled with learning and fun.
“We had about 143 kids who attend this year’s Vacation Bible School,” said Mike Iliff, the director of religious education here on post.
The school included food, games and fun, and there were also many opportunities for the kids to learn about giving and thinking about others. These “Dog-faced pups” had some other, less fortunate, children on their minds.
“The kids gave $642.50 in offerings to a Presbyterian orphanage in Yangon, Burma,” added a proud Mike Iliff. “This offering is going to feed 15 kids for about 80 days.”
As much as the children enjoyed their week at VBS, it was also evident that some of the parents enjoyed watching their little ones attend this festive week as well.
“This was Raymond’s first time attending a religious activity,” said Amiee Phillips, mother of Raymond Phillips and wife of Sgt 1st class. Walter Phillips, a military policeman assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “He really enjoyed the songs and game time.”
To end the Amazing Wonders Aviation week, a huge celebration was held at the Main Post Chapel, which included upbeat music, food and fellowship. Everyone from the VBS volunteers, chaplains, and a host of children along with their family Members attended. A great week of fun and learning was had by all.
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2012 11:25 |
| Story ID: | 89762 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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