• Features
  • News
  • Print
  • Home
  • Features
  • Perspectives
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Gallery
  • Family
    • Weddings
    • Milestones
    • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Share a story
  • Contact us
  • Sign in

Latest News

  • A young woman in a green jumper smiles while surrounded by books at home. The cozy indoor environment suggests a calming and enjoyable study session, perfect for exam preparation.

    Endless Education: A Life of Learning

    December 15, 2025, by Nicole Dominguez
  • Open Bible on a wooden board near the river.

    Bible Reading Plan 2026

    December 09, 2025
  • Healthy Heart Habits Lead to Super Bowl Surprise for KSDA Student

    December 09, 2025, by Laurie Yoshihara

Print magazine

Connections Church of Yakima Hosts Vacation Bible School

By Kelsey Freeman, August 05, 2014

Connections Church of Yakima, Wash., hosted a Vacation Bible School July 7–11 with the help of His Travelers, a group of traveling VBS leaders from the Upper Columbia Conference. The theme, “Wilderness Escape,” focused on God’s loving provision for His people Israel after leaving Egypt and how we can trust Him to care for us too.

The first night's opening time of 6 p.m. came, but children didn’t. The leaders gathered to pray for little ones to come and be blessed and then waited expectantly in their costumes. Praise the Lord, within moments, children started to trickle in. Most subsequent nights 12–15 children attended; some were church members, and many were from the community, their parents lured by the two hours of free childcare.

Fun was had by all, and despite a heat wave that made the upper rooms stifling, the children were unfazed. They excitedly went from station to station, learning Bible stories from “Moses” and “the Wilderness Whiner,” crossing through the hallway of the Red Sea (complete with blue lighting and whale sounds), and collecting popcorn manna.

By the end of the week, children from all backgrounds were shouting what they had learned: “God knows what we need, so trust God!” In that exclamation, the event’s success was evident. 

Image

His Travelers, from Upper Columbia Conference, team with youth pastor Tyler Morgan to host a busy Vacation Bible School in Yakima, Wash.

Image

Children attending Vacation Bible School enjoy a Bible-themed skit.

Image
Image

Kids watch Moses and "the Wilderness Whiner" during VBS.

Print Friendly and PDF

Featured in: October 2014

Author

Kelsey Freeman

writes from Yakima, Wash., where she and her husband, Jared, attend the Yakima Adventist Church.
Section
Upper Columbia Conference

You may also like

  • PCA Breaks Ground on Early Learning Center

    December 04, 2025, by Isaac Meythaler
  • God Saves UCC Pathfinder Camporee 2025

    December 03, 2025, by Isaac Meythaler
  • UCC Prayer Summit Makes a Vital Difference

    December 02, 2025, by Isaac Meythaler
  • Home of Shalom Organizes Acts of Kindness in Spokane

    November 24, 2025, by Isaac Meythaler
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Submit
  • Reprint/Repost Request
  • Style Guide
  • Change of Address
  • Subscriptions
  • Sunset
  • RSS
  • Contributor Login
  • Contact

The Gleaner is a gathering place with news and inspiration for Seventh-day Adventist members and friends throughout the northwestern United States. It is an important communication channel for the North Pacific Union Conference — the regional church support headquarters for Adventist ministry throughout Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The original printed Gleaner was first published in 1906, and has since expanded to a full magazine with a monthly circulation of more than 40,000. Through its extended online and social media presence, the Gleaner also provides valuable content and connections for interested individuals around the world.

Copyright 2025, North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. All rights reserved. Legal disclaimer & privacy policy.