By Tyler Spivey

Harmony Baptist Church might not be as big or as well-known as other churches in Pike County, but the teachings there are no different. They celebrate God’s word.

The church is having Vacation Bible School this week, and it’s the first year that the church has had VBS since Pastor Curtis Faulkner became pastor.

“The message I would want [the children] to take with them is to understand God’s amazing power and that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh,” Faulkner said. “And that He is the one that came and died on the cross for them.”

Faulkner said that the church has seen an increase in membership since he began preaching there about two years ago, although only a small number of children attended the VBS on Tuesday.

“I would have loved to have seen more children here this year,” he said.

According to the pastor, the VBS has been exciting for both him and the kids. Faulkner said that teaching the children about God brings him the most excitement.

The children have been hearing Bible stories, enjoying outdoor play time and using coloring books to explore God’s teachings.

On Tuesday, the kids watched a puppet show and competed in airplane races, in which they made paper planes to see who could throw them the farthest distance.

“A little bit of what I’ve learned is you can trust God in your circumstances, said 18-year-old Larry Tillery. “And that God has power over all the things around you.”

Tillery said he enjoyed the music because he had a “natural musical talent.”

Josh Kidd, 13, said he thought that the puppet show was the most fun.

The schedule for VBS at Harmony Baptist Church is 9 a.m.-11 a.m. this week, ending on Friday. Nine children attended the VBS on Tuesday.