• 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

Image Credit: Mark Pekar

Big Picture of Ministry

August 20, 2015

Based on the command given in 1 Peter 3:15 “to always be ready to give and answer for the hope that is within you,” 43 VBS agents in Sequim practiced three Ds: Discover, Decide and Defend. The "special agents" gathered clues about Jesus' identity through music, sign language, recreation and mission assignments.

Eighty VBS children in Chehalis learned about the life of Daniel from the perspective of a family talking about their challenges of the day. Each evening included healthful food, fun crafts and playtime.

Like many Adventist churches in western Washington, Auburn City Church's VBS children learned about God's power to provide, comfort, heal, forgive and love. Children ages 4–12 were guided through activity stations by volunteers and staff members in their 20s who remember coming to VBS and now come back to help.

Image

Based on the command given in 1 Peter 3:15 “to always be ready to give and answer for the hope that is within you,” 43 VBS agents in Sequim practiced three Ds: Discover, Decide and Defend. The "special agents" gathered clues about Jesus' identity through music, sign language, recreation and mission assignments.

Credit
Mark Pekar
Image

Eighty VBS children in Chehalis learned about the life of Daniel from the perspective of a family talking about their challenges of the day. Each evening included healthful food, fun crafts and playtime.

Credit
Earlene Wohlers
Image

Children at Auburn City Church's VBS learned about God's power to provide, comfort, heal, forgive and love. Children ages 4–12 were guided through activity stations by volunteers and staff members in their 20s who remember coming to VBS and now come back to help.

Credit
Linda Burman
Print Friendly and PDF

Featured in: September 2015

Section
Washington Conference
Tags
Youth

You may also like

  • Healthy Heart Habits Lead to Super Bowl Surprise for KSDA Student

    December 09, 2025, by Laurie Yoshihara
  • WISE Turns Classrooms Into Mission Fields

    December 05, 2025, by Enoc Garcia
  • Journey to Wholeness Training Equips Leaders to Bring Healing and Hope

    December 03, 2025, by Enoc Garcia
  • Elma Church Health Fair Builds Bridges of Wellness and Faith

    December 01, 2025, by Rob Norton et al.
  • 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.