A total of 655 children participated in this year’s VBS at Wooster Grace Brethren Church, and more than 300 volunteers were needed to pull off this amazing week of ministry for the kids.

For the first time, a theme was set to bless children in the world, nation, and local community. Three ministries were selected, and money was raised to help the children in Belem, Brazil, with Neighborhood Bible Clubs; inner city children at Urban Hope in Philadelphia, Pa; and the children at the Christian Children’s Home in Wooster. An anonymous donor matched the money the children brought in during VBS times two.

According to Donna Yost, director of Children’s and Women’s Ministries, the week focused on the parables of Jesus. “Jesus wants us to give back, and there are children everywhere who need our help. The missions selected this year were a great way to show the children who participated in VBS that we need to be reaching our everywhere to children with the love of Christ.”

Christian Children’s Home of Ohio, which received $5,712, will use the money to help replace the vans used to transport the children who live in the Children’s Residential Center in Wooster. “Local support is vital to the work we do here at the Christian Children’s Home of Ohio. We count on the church and individual donors not just financially, but as volunteers and in the donation of goods and services. Without them, the ministry would be unable to meet the needs of the children and families we serve. The generosity of the children at Grace Brethren VBS is a living example of Jesus’ desire for us to give joyfully and care for others,” said Kevin Hewitt, director of programs and services at CCHO.