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Vacation Bible School is a staple at most churches throughout the summer. However, one local church went beyond their walls this year to host a “Backyard Bible School” that would reach not just their own church family, but area children as well.

Morningside Baptist Church felt a strong pull to the Harvest House apartments after hosting a Block Party at the complex earlier in May. The church then decided they wanted to host their week-long VBS there.

“VBS is more than just a week of fun,” said VBS director Laurie Riordan. “It is the single most evangelistic outreach event of the year. We usually open the doors of our building to the community to reach children and their families, but this year we decided to the VBS to them in this Community.”

It was no simple task, every day crews of 20 plus church members showed up to the complex to set up backdrops, tents, sound equipment and cook a meal for those in attendance.

“This is a vision of connecting people to the Gospel and connecting people to the church,” Riordan said. “MSBC wants to establish relationships with the families in this community; we want Jesus to be seen through us.”

Riordan’s vision came true on Thursday afternoon when the event culminated and the children from the church and complex were able to present the songs, mission statement and memory verse they had learned to their parents.

MSBC Pastor Brother Jimmy Dean was also thrilled to announce that nine young children were saved during the week-long event.

“I’m very pleased with the church’s willingness to go outside the church and try and reach people in a different way,” he said.

Dean’s hope is to continue doing more outreach in the future and spreading the Gospel to those who have yet to learn of God’s grace or seek additional information on Him.

Dean invites everyone to come and worship at Morningside Baptist Church on Sunday morning and celebrate the salvation of nine new disciples of Jesus.