Breakaway to the Arctic Freeze

We are very privileged to belong to a wonderful church.  Bayside Church of Granite Bay was actually the very first church Glen and I came to when we arrived in the USA.  It completely intimidated us!!  But culture shock was still overwhelming.  Since then we have belonged to 2 churches.  At the beginning of 2009 we eventually were led back to Bayside.  Our lives have been so blessed by this church.

It is large.  They have an outstanding musician as their worship leader.  It is in a wealthy neighborhood.  And yet in spite of that there is a sense of togetherness and connection on a more down-to-earth level.  The church has values of giving, servanthood, community outreach, connection and support, love for others.  It is a happy place, and I think people that walk in there notice that as soon as they arrive.  Best of all for Glen and me... the Children's Ministry is unbelievable.  From day one, the kids LOVED it.  And each week they run to their classrooms, and come home with their verses, their stories, their artwork, and songs of praise in their heads and heart.  WOW!!!

Since Children's Ministry is my passion, I have volunteered in leadership since 1997, and have worked with kids in many capacities continuously since then.  At Bayside it has been no different.  Glen and I are both on the rosters for the kids' classrooms and volunteer once a month there.

Every summer there is Bayside's version of VBS (Vacation Bible School).  It is known as Breakaway.  This year there were around 3000 kids and 1750 volunteers involved.  I was THRILLED to be one of them.  Oliver and Hannah were there for their first time, and it was an amazing week.  I led a small group of 8 8-yr olds.  (3rd graders).  We had so much fun and learned so much.  A week of impact. 

Romans 8:28 was the theme verse... "And we know that in all things Gd works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  What a joy it was to impress on these kids that God loves them, and God chose each and every one of them just how they are for a purpose, and they need to trust him in times of trouble because there is always hope and a future in Jesus. 

We got a CD and the kids and I have all the actions down.  Oliver knows the words and actions to his favorite songs, and it is the only CD they let me listen to in the car.  It might start out as fun, but the words and deeds will sink in.  Praise God!