By EMILY BECKETT / Staff Writer

Children will not be the only ones enjoying Vacation Bible School at local churches this summer.

Lakeview Pelham’s First United Methodist Church in Pelham will offer adult VBS classes the same week as the children’s VBS program July 11-15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

First Baptist Church in Shelby will hold adult VBS classes every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. from June 22 to July 27.

Lori Theodoras, children’s minister at Lakeview, said this is the first year the church will offer adult VBS classes.

“We’re trying to open the communication lines between parents and children,” Theodoras said. “Parents are the primary faith leaders for their family. It’s really important they know exactly what the children are learning.”

Theodoras said the pastor’s sermon and the adult classes during VBS week will coincide with the scriptural teachings in the children’s Sunday school classes.

“It is a way to open up more faith-based conversations at home,” Theodoras said. “(Families) can better communicate about their faith and what they’ve learned throughout the week.”

Joel Miller, pastor at First Baptist, said a different church member will teach First Baptist’s five adult VBS classes.

“It’s so easy to get in a rut Wednesday night,” Miller said. “But hopefully, they’ll get a variety of different people teaching and different learning styles.”

Miller said last year was the first year his church offered VBS classes for adults, and people are welcome to simply show up.

“It worked out quite well,” Miller said. “It’s open to anyone. I might surprise them on their last night and let them have a snack.”

Theodoras said Lakeview Pelham hopes to have about 75 to 80 children and 10 to 20 parents enrolled in VBS this summer.

Lakeview Pelham will offer a separate VBS program for toddlers as well.

“We want to try to get the entire family involved,” Theodoras said. “We’ll take as many as will sign up. It’s going to be a fun week.”

Visit lakeviewonline.net for more information or to register for VBS. Lakeview Pelham’s First United Methodist Church is located at 5154 Highway 11 in Pelham, 35124.

First Baptist Church in Shelby is located at 31 Huntwood Road in Shelby, 35143.