Saturday, July 11, 1998

Backyard Bible Club a convenient alternative to Vacation Bible School

By LORETTA FULTON Senior Staff Writer

Mark Cornelison said he wants the Vacation Bible School being held in his backyard to be more "down to earth" than the traditional ones held in churches.

He got his wish as an adventurous group of youngsters set about Cornelison's backyard in search of twigs, leaves, tree bark and other "down to earth" materials for a picture frame emphasizing products of God's creation.

Although not the latest fad, Backyard Bible Club, as it is called by a couple of Baptist churches holding the sessions this summer, is proving to be a popular alternative to the traditional VBS.

At least two Baptist churches - University and First Baptist - are holding the sessions in lieu of Vacation Bible School at their churches.

"You end up reaching more people in the long run," said Ginger Bumguardner, children's minister at First Baptist.

Last year First Baptist attracted 500 children to its Vacation Bible School downtown, an impressive enough number, but Bumguardner said "it could be better."

Taking VBS to the backyard is an attempt to reach the kids who might feel uncomfortable at the church.

"It's just an effort to reach more kids who normally would not come to downtown," Bumguardner, said.

On Monday, Mark and Cathy Cornelison's backyard was the setting for some refreshments, crafts, and Bible study.

"Everything we see around us God made - including us," said Mark Cornelison, youth minister at University Baptist Church.

University also held a session near the pool at Hardin-Simmons University, and First Baptist has about 18 backyard sessions planned before summer is over.

The thinking behind Backyard Bible Clubs is that more children might be reached in the less formal setting. First Baptist is using the same "Star Quest: a Galactic Good News Adventure" that other Baptist churches are using indoors, but with less fuss, and that's one of the appeals of the backyard sessions.

"In a backyard setting it's so much simpler, so much more relaxed," Bumguardner said.

Bumguardner emphasized that although the church is fanning the neighborhoods looking for kids to participate, there is no pressure to join First Baptist or to take children away from other churches.

"We're just trying to give them Jesus this summer," she said.

The attempt seemed to be working well with the children in the backyard of Cathy and Mark Cornelison. Camden Winters learned about the backyard gathering from a flier on his door. His first thought was, "Oh, no, not another Vacation Bible School. I don't want to go."

But this one proved to be different, and Camden has had second thoughts about attending this outdoor Vacation Bible School.

"It's more fun," he said. "You're not inside."

Both University and First Baptist employed their youth departments to help with the backyard sessions, serving as assistants and distributing fliers.

Youth at University Baptist, located at Ambler and Grape, put up posters and delivered fliers door to door all the way north to Interstate 20 and west and south to Pioneer Drive.

"That way our youth get to help," said Toni Cox with University Baptist. "It's really neat to see them in action."

First Baptist has several more backyard sessions planned for the summer and all neighborhood children are invited.

Still to come are sessions set for Monday through Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. at 1818 Lytle Shore Dr. and 1709 McCracken.

Also sessions will be held July 20-22 from 7-9 p.m. at 2310 Crestline Dr., July 20-23 from 7-8:30 p.m. at 4858 Musgrave Trail, and July 26-29 from 6:30-8 p.m. at 39 Pinehurst.

Call First Baptist at 673-5031 for more information.