His Travelers Team Hold VBS in the Park

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

This summer was the seventh summer His Travelers team, a team of young people who are tasked with supporting children’s programming which includes Vacation Bible School, day camps, and community outreach projects, held VBS in the Park. This special event, located in Ruth Park in Spokane, had 55 children in attendance. 

“I wasn’t sure what VBS in the park would be like,” shared Jonathan Kasper, a member of His Travelers. “I had heard it was really fun, but I didn’t know what to expect. However, after planning it out with the team, I realize that it is so much better than I was expecting!”

His Travelers is a program run through the Upper Columbia Conference children’s ministry department. The program began in 2010 and is currently led by Wendy Urbin, children’s ministries administrative assistant. His Travelers works hard every year assisting churches to put on VBS programs across Upper Columbia Conference ministering to hundreds of children; however, VBS in the Park is put on solely by the His Travelers group in a local public park. 

“VBS in the Park began many years ago to provide a group of Nepalese refugees something for their children,” shared Gayle Haeger, UCC urban ministries coordinator. “The idea was to provide something close for the neighborhood children to come to.”

Since then, His Travelers has provided a VBS in the Park almost every year, except when COVID prevented it, to the local children. What makes this VBS unique is that many of the children that participate are refugees. This year children from Nepal, Congo, Russia, Ukraine, and other neighborhood children were in attendance. 

“I look forward to leading the His Travelers team as they lead out VBS in the Park each summer,” shared Urbin “It is such a blessing to serve these precious children from many different nationalities to share Jesus’ love! It is so meaningful to see them have fun, smile, share, eat together, become friends, and fellowship with each other and the team.” 

Unlike years prior when His Travelers have had the summer to prepare for VBS in the Park, this year’s event was held earlier than expected. This was not a problem for the group of five. They began planning and quickly created their own VBS program, being sure to include singing, games, snacks, crafts, and Bible stories. 

“VBS in the Park is basically a ‘homemade’ VBS program,” said Kasper. “We come up with everything from scratch, looking for materials here and there to provide. It’s so impactful because I see these kids having so much fun and enjoying the program, and without VBS in the Park, they may never get to know Jesus.” 

The theme for the 2023 VBS in the Park was “The Lord’s Prayer.” Each day, the His Travelers — Emmalyn Logan, Melani Dubon, Jonathan Kasper, and Rachel Johnston — taught a new section with a script written by each member. The group made the book of Matthew come alive for the children using puppets. The children were so engaged and listened intently. 

“VBS in the Park is a unique experience because over time, I've gotten to know a lot of the kids who come every year,” shared Logan. “This summer was special because one of our volunteers, a girl who came to the very first VBS in the Park when she was younger, now was able to help. That's really cool to me, because it means that VBS in the Park is making an impact on a lot of these kids. It’s a good reminder to me that even just one week, given to God, can make a difference.” 

The His Travelers team continued the summer and participated in ten VBS programs and two Adventist Community Services projects. “The team is such a blessing to the children within Upper Columbia Conference,” said Haeger.