October 1, 2026
WALESKA, Ga. — First Baptist Church in Waleska hosted Vacation Bible School for the first time since the COVID pandemic this summer, and two children made professions of faith during the week.
The church, a relatively small congregation composed primarily of older adults, stepped back into VBS under the leadership of bivocational Pastor Jeff Brown, who said the church wanted to reach children in the community with the gospel.
Vacation Bible School has often been called the “front door” to the church because it gives congregations a unique opportunity to connect with children and families in their communities.
Krista Staton, kids ministry consultant for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, said about 15 members from First Baptist Waleska attended a VBS+ training in Canton before hosting the event.
“It was wonderful to see the team from FBC Waleska attend our VBS+ training,” Staton said. “They came ready to learn, eager to be equipped, and excited to take what they learned back to their church to host VBS for the first time in many years.”
Brown, who became pastor in March 2025 after serving as interim, has emphasized evangelism throughout his ministry at Waleska. Last year, when the North American Mission Board encouraged churches worldwide to focus their sermons and evangelism on the core message of John 3:16 on March 16, 2025, Brown took the challenge seriously and preached an evangelistic message on that verse of Scripture.
Under his leadership, the church has gained some new members, and Brown said he rejoices when souls are saved.
Brown works full time in information technology as a computer support specialist and took the week off from his job to help lead VBS. Like many bivocational pastors, he balances work outside the church with shepherding a congregation and leading ministry.
The VBS began with a kickoff event Sunday afternoon, July 19, with food and refreshments. Families were introduced to the “Illumination Station” theme and saw decorations donated by First Baptist Church of Canton.
First Baptist Waleska also received help from neighboring churches. Two workers from Ball Ground First Baptist Church helped serve during the week, and several of the children enrolled also came from that church.
Approximately 30 children were enrolled in four different age groups, some of whom had never been enrolled in a VBS.
“With the assistance we received from Ball Ground First Baptist and the beautiful embellishments from First Baptist Canton, we thank the Lord for our partners in ministry,” Brown said.
Brown said he spoke to the children each morning from John 8:12, where Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that follows Me will not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.”
The verse reinforced the VBS theme, “Illumination Station,” Brown said.
The most significant result of the week, Brown said, was that two children asked how they could receive Christ.
“The beauty of their salvation experience was not that they just spontaneously responded to my appeal,” Brown said. “After contemplating the message, they separately and individually approached their teachers and asked, ‘How can I have Jesus as my Savior?’”
One young boy was insistent on settling the issue of his salvation and went home to tell his mother. When they prayed, he suggested that they hold hands for that sacred moment.
A young girl who had been greatly impacted by the lessons she heard each morning trusted Jesus and told her teacher, “I asked Jesus to be my Savior when I got home yesterday.”
Brown added that both children appeared to have genuine salvation experiences and were unashamed of their commitment to Jesus.
Staton said the church’s willingness to act opened the door for families and children to hear the gospel.
“Their excitement turned into action,” she said. “Because they said ‘yes’ to VBS, families and children walked through the doors of their church and heard the gospel — some for the very first time. This is why we do VBS!”
Share with others
