The dedication and persistence of two North Carolina Churches has brought the gospel to Arnoldsburg, West Virginia for over four decades in the form of VBS. None of the current mission crew knew exactly how many years the mission team had done the annual Vacation Bible School at the Arnoldsburg Park, but many of the local volunteers who help each year, began their own mission work with the North Carolina team as small children who once attended the VBS.
Gorman Baptist Church and Groves Parks Church in North Carolina began the mission work when there was no Baptist Church in the Arnoldsburg Area. It’s kind of ironic that throughout the years there had been a Baptist Church in the area, but no longer. However, the faithfulness of the mission team continues on with their annual event.
Covering their own expense, the churches bring church buses from North Carolina who then travel throughout Calhoun County picking up and delivering kids back home to the daily event. The Bible School began Monday, June 24th and will run through Friday June 28th, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Greater than 100 children are attending the event proving the success of the event by dedicated volunteers.
As for the year it all began, I do not know. But I do know that I myself attended the North Carolina VBS between 1972 to 1974. It may have began even prior to that. But that makes at least 50 years! If anyone knows the exact year the Arnoldsburg Mission VBS began, please send Ridgeview a message!
