Religious Support for Soldiers and Civilians

Religious services provide a vital source of strength and comfort, not only for military personnel but also for civilians. At the Hello Chapel of the Uma Proving Ground (YPG), this role is especially evident during a beloved summer tradition: the Holiday Bible School (VBS).

This year’s campfire theme will transform the chapel complexes into enchanting forest-like settings, all thanks to the creativity of volunteers who repurpose artificial Christmas trees, tents, and mock campfires. Though the event might appear professionally organized, it’s really a result of modest budgets and dedicated volunteer work.

“We’ve seen an increase in volunteers this year, making everything so much smoother,” said Chaplain Ryan Pierce. “It’s heartening to see support from the community. While we encourage all kids to sign up, it’s the abundance of volunteers that really motivates them.”

More than 50 young people from YPG are looking forward to attending. Usually held in local churches early in the summer, VBS has been adjusted this year to allow new children and their families—who are often arriving due to permanent change of station (PCS)—to join in later in July.

“There are some new families here that I was surprised to discover just moved in, so we thought this adjustment would really help,” Pierce noted. “We want to get this going a few weeks before school starts to help integrate these newcomers into the community.”

Lorlena Nelson, a returning volunteer, contributes to the music ministry and assists with the youngest participants. She also helped decorate the chapel complex last week, drawing from her own experiences of growing up in an Army family.

“Being a military kid can make it tough to settle into a new community,” Nelson shared. “VBS offers a great way for kids to meet others, fostering friendships before school kicks off.”

The program features a variety of activities each day across four stations, including story time, singing, Bible lessons, crafts, and games. Snack time is especially popular.

“We want to keep things fresh and engaging,” Pierce explained. “It’s a week focused on fun, but also on learning, making friends, and meeting new people.”

“The joy of seeing the kids’ excitement is just wonderful,” added Nelson. “It’s rewarding to watch them engage and make this a meaningful part of their lives. We feel blessed to have so many kids and volunteers this year.”