Ascension Presbyterian Church, Forest Hills - Queens NY

Thank you for considering Ascension Presbyterian Church (plant) as a possible venue for your team to minister.  We are in great need of teams to come assist us with our VBS.  Our enrollment has greatly increased since our first VBS in 2006 when we had 25 kids. Many of the children who now attend come from families who do not attend our church and who are Queens residents from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

July 30-August 3, 2012

We are praying for two teams/churches of about 10 to 15 (it can be more!) high schoolers, college-age young people and adults to commit to this week, arriving on Saturday, July 9 and departing Saturday, July 16. (As long as the lodging and your resources allow, the team can stay for an extended stay in NYC beyond the 16th, should your team choose to do so.) Since we have so many kids we need altogether approximately 30 capable hands to run the camp. We will also have our own in-house volunteers missionaries- in-training from Mission to the World who will come to NYC for the entire month of July to do their field training.

Coming to NYC for the week is always a very chock-full experience: full – of ministry and fun. Monday through Friday mornings are for VBS and with a few exceptions, your afternoons and evenings are your team’s chance to explore this great city. I will be more than happy in helping you through your planning.

What would the schedule be? This is a sample schedule for this year.

One evening your group will have the opportunity to participate our subway/outdoor evangelism “Water of Life” ministry. This is our opportunity to connect with neighbors as they are coming home from work on the subway. We hand out cold water bottles to them and hopefully engage some in conversation as well as inviting them to the church.

There are many things to consider when planning the trip. One of course is lodging. A good option is to stay at the dorm style ministry housing provided at New York School of Urban Missions (NYSUM.org) in Astoria Queens. Other options may be available as you work with Roseann.

Basic Budget:
$290 lodging at NYSUM including a continental breakfast
$150 transportation/gas to acquire a rental van, gas and tolls
$175 based on 25 dollars per day*
$40 week metro card for the subway
Total: $655**

*Based on driving not flying
**This does not include tourist attractions/activities. Keep in mind that there are many free things to do in NYC.

What will the team be doing?
Once you assemble your team I will work with you to fit each person into an area of ministry at VBS according to their gifts. I will send you curriculum and music and anything you need to know in advance of your trip so everyone is prepared. We will assemble teams for the various age groups - the three year olds, the fours and fives, the sixes through nines and finally 10 and up. One of the great features of our VBS program is that we include a program for three-year-olds. (Most VBS programs start with 4 years of age.) If you team has individuals that are gifted in music or art then they may become part of a special craft room or ask to minister with a music team for the assemblies. We will also choose main and assistant teachers to present the daily lessons to each class. We put together a daily schedule that includes outdoor games, crafts, music and Bible lessons. We provide everything you need. This year’s VBS is Gospel Light’s Kingdom of the Son a safari theme and based on the Lord’s Prayer

If you would like you may also speak with the pastors/youth pastors of the PCA churches that have come over the last 5 years to get an idea of how their time went.
We pray and hope your church group will consider coming. We will pray on our end.

Need more information?

Contact Arklie Hooten ahooten@pcanet.org / (678) 294-3011

or

Sherry Lanier

MNA ShortTerm Missions and Disaster Response Facilitator
678-294-3012 / slanier@pcanet.org

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