Pathway Puppets enjoy sharing Gospel
RAYTOWN – We come together as one in Christ. We leave as one showing forth Christ. That is the Pathway Puppet Ministry’s motto, and that’s just what they did when they went to spend a week July 7-14 living and serving in Laneview Baptist Church in Trenton, Tenn.
The members of Pathway Puppets hail from First Baptist Church, Raytown. The team is a traveling performance ministry that specializes in blacklight puppetry. The team going to Tennessee, directed by Pamela Smith, consisted of 15 performers ranging in age from 7 to 21, and was accompanied by seven sponsors.
Pathway Puppets spent the bulk of their time at Laneview leading a Vacation Bible School themed “Son Treasure Island” for preschoolers and students through the seventh grade. An average of 45 children attended each day throughout the week. The attendees learned about the love of God as it is shown in the Bible, specifically in 1 Cor. 13.
Each evening the children in attendance were greeted by Skooter the clown and members of the Pathway team. In the opening portion of each night, children sang songs and learned sign language, experienced a blacklight puppet performance and expanded their imaginations with illusions by Skooter. Each night, classes rotated through several activities including crafts, recreation, music and a Bible story.
“I love how we are able to introduce the Word of Jesus to children through blacklight puppetry and clowning, and how the children have fun listening to common Bible stories presented in a little bit different way,” said Scott Davis, Pathway team member.
The last night of Vacation Bible School was family night for 135 people. Each age group performed a song complete with hand motions learned through the week. After the children performed, Pathway Puppet Ministry took the stage. The team performed their 30-minute “Superstar” blacklight program which included eight songs. The puppets and props that were used ranged from blacklight arm rod puppets and slinkies to glowing God Rods and white gloves performing sign language. After the performance was a fellowship for the team to congregate with the Bible school attendees and their families.
“They’ve touched us here,” said Laneview Pastor Nickey McMinn. “You can see the love of God in each of them.”
Trenton is the 16th mission trip the team has embarked upon. Pathway Puppet Ministry was started 24 years ago for junior high and high school students. The teams through the years have traveled as far north as Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, as far south as Winslow, Ariz., as far west as Columbus, Mont., and as far east as Flatlick, Ky.
“It was definitely one of the most unique trips we’ve been on,” said Elise Gregory, Pathway team member. “The culture in that part of the country and the team itself made it easy for me to see how much God was blessing us the entire time. The people there were the most hospitable people we’ve been in contact with on a trip.”
Besides ministering through personally visiting places, the team has sent puppets to Russia, Israel, Jamaica and Brazil.
Pathway Puppet Ministry performs as part of fundraising to support mission trips. If groups are interested in using the team, contact Smith by email at Pamela6711@msn.com or call First Baptist Church, Raytown at (816) 353-1994 for more information.