After three years of not holding a Vacation Bible School (VBS) in person, the First Church of the Nazarene in Villaflores, Chiapas, Mexico, held a VBS titled Destination Dig from July 31 to August 5, attended by over 120 boys and girls from their community.

"We are aware that it is not just an event but an open door for our city to recognize Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord," said Yeri Nieto, youth pastor of the church.

Destination Dig was carried out with the support of a committed team of 70 collaborators, including musicians, cooks, and others as well as the director of VBS, Luz Balbuena, and her husband, Geovanni Gurgúa. Two months before the VBS, the team met to have times of prayer for each child. The church board and the director of children's ministries were very generous in providing everything necessary to care for the children.

"Ministering to children has become a priority in our congregation," Nieto said. "Many families in our city are going through economic problems, disintegration, and violence. But for one week, 100 children heard about the salvation and peace that only Jesus Christ brings, and many gave their lives to Jesus." 

During the VBS, the team shared the stories of the missionary Mitchel Ramos Cruz (in Kenya, Africa). They prayed for him every day of the event and promoted a missionary offering. The offering was around US$175.

Nieto said that the congregation is praying that everything they do this year — as the church celebrates its 100th anniversary — proclaims Jesus Christ among all the families of Villaflores and that they are sure that the VBS is a way of entering each home with the living Word. The church is already thinking of opening more children's groups to continue the Christian formation of all children.

"This is a seed, the seed of the gospel," Nieto said. "And we truly believe that this seed has fallen on good soil. By doing this, we will not be surprised that God gives us the privilege of seeing new families [become] part of this spiritual family that wants to give glory to God."

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region