Sharing the Gospel in Ohio
Pastor Mark Bernthal, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Saginaw, Mich. sent along the story below pertaining to the TVBS held in Bedford (suburb of Cleveland), Ohio last August 9-11 (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mon. & Tues., 9:00 a.m. to noon, Wed.) — Editor
In mid-July Pastor Paul and Eileen Tiefel helped a group of students from TVBS hand out some 2,500 brochures. The students were Mark Tiefel, Deana and Dean Johannes, Dan Mielke, and Zach Franson. This same group went on to Rochester, N.Y. and handed out brochures there also.
The teaching team in August consisted of myself (gr. 6-8), Elizabeth Schrader (gr. 4-5), Sarah Noeldner (gr. 1-3), and Heather Oster (Pre-sch. & K). Paul Tiefel III was our recess coordinator, and all teachers helped with arts and crafts. One of our members from Gethsemane, Mrs. Brianne Lamblin, came along and helped with arts and crafts. Mrs. & Mrs. Paul Tiefel, Sr., from Columbus, Ohio, helped in picking up students and setting out snacks, as well as with overall supervisory work. Mark Tiefel, from the Cleveland area, and Mr. & Mrs. Paul Tiefel, Sr. helped to get over 3,500 brochures as inserts in a local newspaper. They also found the building in which the sessions were held. The TVBS in Eau Claire, Wis. printed the brochures.
Daily sessions were held in the Ellenwood Recreation Center (a former grade school). We had a total of eighteen students–seventeen of them non-members, and all seventeen were African-Americans. Classes were well attended every day. We used the (CLC-produced) VBS series “All Power in Heaven and Earth.” Follow-up has been by letter from myself as pastor to every family. Lay-members Mr. & Mrs. Paul Tiefel, Sr. have made personal visits to whose who were interested.
The visits have shown a real interest and desire for more outreach with the Gospel. We thank the Lord for this opportunity to bring the Gospel to these children in Cleveland and pray He opens the door to do more work in this area.
{From the Editor: According to further information recently received from Pastor Paul Tiefel, Messiah Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, Wis: “The purpose of this program is to assist congregations which would otherwise be unable to conduct a VBS (due to size or age of members). The TVBS uses volunteers of post-confirmation through college-age and forms teams either to distribute flyers and help in others ways to prepare for VBS, or to conduct a week of VBS by teaching.”
If you would like to be a part of the TVBS, your pastor could provide further information.}