By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – Montevallo First Baptist Church came alive with joyful noise, meaningful lessons and childlike wonder during its Vacation Bible School from Monday, June 9 through Friday, June 13. This year’s theme, “Magnified!”, encouraged children and adults alike to take a closer look at the details of God’s creation—and magnify the greatness of the God behind it all.

Using Lifeway’s “Magnify” curriculum, the week centered on the idea of discovering the bigness of God in the smallness of things. Each night, around 50 to 60 children and 20 adults participated in a vibrant array of activities designed to deepen their understanding of God’s love and truth.

“This year’s VBS was great,” VBS director Selena Price said. “The theme focused on how the details in creation help us understand just how intricate an artist and powerful a creator our God is.”

Each evening began with a warm meal prepared by a dedicated group of church ladies before transitioning into an energetic worship rally featuring music, pledges and a themed video series. From there, children were divided into mixed-age teams and rotated through four engaging stations: Bible study, missions, crafts and recreation.

In Bible study, kids explored stories like “Jesus and the Children,” “The Woman at the Well,” “Jesus Walked on Water,” “Jesus and Nicodemus” and “Jesus Tells Us Not to Worry.” In the missions station, students learned about missionaries serving in Thailand and the challenges of sharing the gospel in a country predominantly influenced by Buddhism.

The craft room was a favorite among many, with students making creative projects such as Pringle-can kaleidoscopes, bumblebee headbands, pool noodle sailboats and silly bug-eye masks. In recreation, classic games like kickball and relay races kept kids moving, with a highlight being “water night,” a fan-favorite.

New this year was a full adult class, where 20 attendees gathered in the church’s college and career room for Bible study, fellowship and crafts tailored for grown-ups.

“They learned adult-level versions of the same stories the children studied,” Price said. “They built birdhouses, painted suncatchers and even made peanut butter and apple birdfeeders.”

The adult class played a significant role in “decision night,” staying after the gospel presentation to counsel any children with questions about salvation.

The most meaningful outcome of the week came Thursday night, June 12, when five children accepted Christ as their Savior—including Price’s own 10-year-old daughter, Kayliana.

“The Bible tells us that there is a celebration in heaven every time someone comes to know the Lord,” Price said. “So I know there was a party in heaven that night.”

For Price, one of the most impactful aspects of Montevallo First Baptist isn’t just its programs—it’s the people.

“My favorite part of attending church and VBS at Montevallo First Baptist is the diversity represented in the church,” she said. “Looking around the sanctuary is a glimpse of what heaven will be like—everyone joining together to worship the Lord rather than worrying about differences.”

The church warmly invites the community to join in worship, with Sunday school at 9:30 a.m., worship at 10:30 a.m., and Wednesday night activities starting with dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by BLAST Kids, One Students, and adult prayer meeting at 6:30 p.m.