Redemption Church holds first-ever VBS

Participants reflect on Minnesota church partnering with Bethesda Church to lead VBS

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Redemption Church vacation Bible school included group worship singing. Photo: Charlotte Morriss

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his summer Redemption Church, a USMB church plant in Owatonna, Minnesota, held vacation Bible school (VBS) for the first time. The congregation partnered with Bethesda Church of Huron, South Dakota, a collaboration that was rooted in the connection between the two lead pastors, Christian Kohs of Redemption and Aaron Garza of Bethesda.

Youth pastor Sebastian Mireles and a group of teens spent the week in Owatonna, helping with VBS. The evening program using the Answer’s in Genesis Jungle Journey VBS curriculum. The curriculum presents seven “C’s” — Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross and Consummation.

The youth group helped with the Bethesda VBS prior to going to Owatonna so the team felt comfortable with the lessons and the different activities that they were leading, says Mireles. “Our goal was to help equip and show Redemption church volunteers how we did the VBS so that they could in the future feel prepared to have their own VBS themselves and have experience,” he says.

Owatonna fifth grader Abby Jorgensen says, “I liked VBS because it was fun to be learning about God and Jesus and having fun activities to do, fun craft’s to build and yummy snacks to eat and all while learning about the seven C’s of history. We give special thanks to the leaders/helpers for coming to us all the way from South Dakota and helping us learn new songs and to tie it all up, we had a drama video to watch every day and by the end of the week it was a movie/story. My favorite part of it all was bringing my friend along to join the journey.”

Redemption’s Kohs says the congregation is already planning for next year.

Two participants—Charlotte Morriss from Redemption and Jay Darling from Bethesda—reflect on their experience in this joint venture June 23-27. Morriss and Darling agree that the week was a success in many ways.   

Steven and Judy Broad from Redemption and Sebastian Mireles from Bethesda are ready for the VBS Jungle Journey. Photo: Bethesda Church

Two groups bonded like a family

This is the first year that Redemption Church hosted VBS, and it’s my first year in the role as VBS director. I couldn’t have asked for a better team than what we had from Bethesda and Redemption.

The Bethesda team came ready to conquer VBS, while being patient as we learned from them. They knew when to jump in because we lacked whatever and needed help in the moment and when to sit back and let us take the reins. They were very encouraging throughout the entire process, giving tips at the appropriate time of how we can do things better next year.

I have worked with merged groups before in the past, but never before have I experienced the unity and willingness and what felt like being bonded as a family with the Bethesda and Redemption teams/youth. I would call that a God moment right there. The Bethesda group feels like family and I was sad to see them go. They will always have a home at Redemption Church and a special seat at the table.

God laid VBS on my heart, and I started praying over it in December 2023. So, for me this entire VBS experience is a God thing, as I watched God work things out from beginning to end. I had no clue of what I was getting myself into when I talked to Pastor Christian about doing VBS and agreeing to be the “point person.”

The third through fifth grade class learns about Jesus’ and sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Photo: Charlotte Morriss

I looked at the material so many times and just wondered how in the world I could help make this come to life. Bethesda came in and cleared any and all confusion on my part. I really think we have a great start and leg up for doing VBS next year. I am truly excited to see how God will grow our VBS program, Redemption as a church and the Owatonna community in the years to come. Where there was nothing, life has been breathed in.

Our highest number of kids for that showed up for VBS was 23. Most of these kids, but not all, were Redemption kids. But the most impactful thing was finding out that most of these kids have never had the chance to experience VBS until this year. Seeds were planted at VBS this year as we gave Redemption kids an experience to remember and to draw on in years to come. Every ounce of effort was worth it!

I truly believe this was the year and God picked the people and God over saw it from start to finish. This experience and working with both teams humbled my spirit. To God be all glory, honor and praise because he is worth it all.

Charlotte Morriss was the 2024 VBS coordinator at Redemption Church in Owatonna, Minnesota.

The Bethesda Church youth group mission trip this summer was to Owatonna, Minnesota, to help Redemption Church holds its first VBS. Photo: Bethesda

Working together was a blessing

The week of VBS at Redemption has been without a doubt a success and working with the kids and youth at Redemption has been a blessing.

Our first full day was amazing. Meeting the youth and the members was so encouraging and really set a great positive attitude for the rest of the week. We were told through the week how open and social we were and I wholeheartedly believe that a huge reason for that is definitely due to the church and homes that welcomed us with open arms.

Watching Redemption members step in so easily and want to learn about the lesson plans that we had prepared made it easier to teach the kids about the gospel. So much would not have been accomplished if it wasn’t for the willingness of the church to learn. I know that from our experience this week that God will use each and every member at Redemption to teach more of God’s Word and love.

VBS included craft time. Photo: Bethesda Church

Throughout the week I was blessed to see so many interactions and to witness many friendships bloom and seeds of God be planted. Participating with Redemption has been a blessing and having so many prayers answered has been amazing to witness. My personal memories include making flower crowns with the girls during the park day, kids jumping to the front of the church to dance along and visiting David’s and Jill’s house to play and get to know the members.

On behalf of our group, I can say that Redemption is an amazing church. Everyone was been so open and we could see God present in the church and in the members. It was outstanding. I pray that anyone who walks into Redemption Church will see this.

It was so sad to leave and I know we all will miss the youth and the town in general. Owatonna is truly a beautiful place, and we will continue to pray for the church and the members, that they will have every opportunity to spread the gospel.

Jay Darling was part of the group from Bethesda Church that helped the Redemption Church volunteers lead VBS. 

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