Vacation Bible School at Lake Eufaula Christian Church concluded with many rip-roaring “Yee-Haws” as children demonstrated how they felt after two days of learning about God’s greatest gift.

When Associate Minister Bo Banfield asked who had helped with VBC, at least one-fourth of the pew-filled congregation stood up—most wearing the cowboy hats that marked them as helpers.

One 13-year-old helper, Cylee Templeton, narrated a summary of the Friday and Saturday sessions, introducing the Moo-sic and More Awaken team as the morning’s choir.

Kassie Huffman, children’s ministry director, was pleased with their contribution. “They led praise and worship songs with country flair,” she said, “and young and old alike rung their spurs and tipped their cowboy hats in yee-haw praise and worship.”

She pointed out that each helper and team had a specific purpose. Chicken Little told jokes with a delightful country accent. The Closing Corral Awaken team brought home the object lessons of the day’s Bible verses. The Projects with a Purpose team helped each child create a tie-dyed shirt and noodle pony.

Huffman explained that the children had age-appropriate curriculum in a room depicting the birth and death of Jesus.. “Our amazing teachers taught Bible points and memory verses surrounded by the ambience of music,” she said. Messages the participants received were driven home by the Saddle-up Sports team leading games themed after Yee-Haw characters.

The children had fun creating snacks with funny names like Western Hats, Horse Cookies, Cow Patties, Hay Bales, Campfire Cones. They also enjoyed an honest-to-goodness petting zoo that included a puppy, donkey, pig, chicken, and sheep.

Though no live animals participated in Sunday’s VBS’s wrap-up program, one huge rednosed rooster galloped into the sanctuary with Senior Minister Jeremy Little as it rider. When he waved his cowboy hat and repeated the morning’s main message, “God gives great gifts,” the reaction was a happy booming, “Yee-Haw!”

As Cylee Templeton and Associated Minister Bo Banfield gave each team its chance to show off a bit, one could feel spirits rising through the congregation. A slide show of VBS in action was as entertaining as the filmed events. When all the participating children ascended on stage and sang a last uplifting song, the applause went on and on.

“The children learned about Jesus, God’s greatest gift to mankind,” Pastor Little said. “That’s what Jesus told us to do: rise and tell. And it’s great when it can be done in such a fun way.”

This was the first Vacation Bible School LECC has had in five years. After this highly successful one, it’s sure to become a yearly event. If you’re unchurched and would like to be part of a loving, hugging, helpful church family, come to 415897 Highway 9, Eufaula for small group Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and/or Wednesday night all-age activities at 6:30 p.m. You too might find yourself shouting, “Yee-Haw!”