Maya McFadden photo
Iglesia Cristiana Estrella Resplandeciente de Jacob camp-goers practice gravity testing science project.
A Fair Haven church preached to its community youth that “when things get dark,” “when people don’t get along,” “when good things happen,” and when sad things happen,” they should always “shine Jesus’ light.”
That was the key message spread to the neighborhood from Fair Haven’s Iglesia Cristiana Estrella Resplandeciente de Jacob on a recent Friday, as the 185 Chapel St. church hosted its fifth annual Vacation Bible School (VBS) for neighborhood youth.
In one room, Fair Haven youth conducted gravity-testing science experiments. In another room they learned about a miracle baptism performed by Philip the Evangelist. And outside they played water games.
The Chapel Street church, which has been around for 52 years, ran the week-long program from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. during the first week of August. Each day of the week had a theme teaching the students about the stories of the Bible and conducting science projects. (Full disclosure, some of this reporter’s family members are members of this church.)
Youth singing worship songs.
Church members and “missions partners in crime” Vianette Hernandez and Silvia Perez worked as co-directors of the program since its start five years ago.
The five-day camp arranged the students in small groups to visit different stations ranging from playing outdoor games to learning about Bible adventures to an imagination station where they did did hands-on science experiments.
This year the church offered two pre‑k classes for youth under age five.
Each day consisted of a theme, which reminded the youth to always “shine Jesus’ light” whether times are good or bad.
The camp served neighborhood youth and beyond in first though eighth grades.
The team of 70 volunteers ranged from membership youth aged 13 to seniors older than 70 years old.
“We engage the entire church,” Hernandez said.
This year the program served more than 130 youth.
Program leads Silvia Perez and Vianette Hernandez.
Hernandez, who is a social worker, also works in the Kids Ministry to tailor the program each year to relate to New Haven youth with traumas related to community violence.
“We want it to connect to them and not just be teaching a book from 2,000 years ago,” she said.
She provided staff with social work resources and training during the VBS retreat to understand “if a kid is not behaving, what need is not being met?”
Hernandez hears students favorite lessons during VBS.
“Kids go through so much and we just want them to see there’s hope,” Hernandez said.
The week of lessons taught students to always rely on their faith in Jesus and the stories of the Bible to learn.
Church member Anthony Arizmendi volunteers for fifth year in Fair Haven.
In addition to teaching youth about the stories of the Bible, the annual summer camp is run to unify with fellow churches, help grow teen volunteers into leaders and mentors, and provide the neighborhood with youth resources.
This year’s camp, which saw around 100 kids daily, had youth attend VBS while their family visited New Haven from as far as places like Rhode Island, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua.
When the program was first brought to the Fair Haven church five years ago, it started with registering 30 youth.
The program’s theme this year also centered outer space and taught the youth to be space cadets traveling in a time machine to learn about the Bible.
In a Bible adventures station, a group of students was told the story of Saint Phillip, who listened to God by baptizing an Ethiopian man. As youth event coordinator Anthony Arizmendi narrated the story, the youth were met by volunteers of the church who acted out the scene of the baptizing for the youth to understand.
“I’m on my way to Jerusalem, do you guys want to come with me?” asked Denzel Brenes, who played Phillip.
The voice of the Holy Spirit rumbled the room as it guided Phillip to the Ethiopian man. “When someone needs help we go,” Brenes said.
The Bible adventures group traveled with Phillip to another room to hear more about his story.
In the imagination station, students used different objects to test gravity. In a previous lesson the students also got a taste of chocolate and vanilla astronaut ice cream.
Rolando Velázquez and Isabella Barnes Estrada.
Isabella Barnes Estrada, 9, and Rolando Velázquez, 12, said their favorite station to visit during the program was Bible adventures.
They agreed they loved the deep dives into the Bible stories.
“It feels good that no matter if your feeling down, you can always find Jesus,” Velázquez said.
Barnes Estrada added that she had a lot of fun and got to make new friends.
Senior pastor Javier Diaz and wife Shari Diaz.
To close the weeklong program, the youth gathered on the alter for a final worship, dance party, then a final prayer over them if they wanted before the program’s end.
After the closing, dozens of youth raised their hands asking for volunteers to pray extra over them.
The program runs free of charge to families and provides the youth with lunch each day.
Program ends with a dance party.
The church’s senior pastor Javier Diaz and his wife Shari and senior associate pastor Isaias Miranda each described the significance of the youth program each year.
“We especially want to reach our neighbors,” Miranda said. “If we don’t teach the kids, they will grow up and lose hope.”
