Just south of Peoria, Illinois is a little village in Tazewell County called Hopedale. If you’ve never heard of it, don’t be surprised.
According to the 2020 Census, its population was 807. I wouldn’t be surprised if, at some point, it was the recipient of the coveted “Salute!” given by Buck Owens on Hee Haw! (And, yes, I completely realize many of you had to google Buck Owens as well as Hee Haw to fully understand that reference!)
The point is, more than likely, you’ve never heard of Hopedale. However, also more than likely, you have been blessed by this little town.
D.T. Miles – whom I’m guessing you’ve also never heard of – served Hopedale as a public school teacher and her church as a Sunday School teacher (for those who may not be familiar with that term, Sunday School = Small Groups). In the summer of 1894, feeling like the hour on Sunday mornings limited her from teaching all that she wanted to the children in her class, Miles started a daily Bible school. The first installment lasted four weeks and drew almost 40 kids. She taught the classes at a local school, using a nearby park for recreation. Almost four years later, Eliza Hawes, the children’s ministry leader at Epiphany Baptist Church in New York City, rented space at a beer parlor on the East Side and introduced the “Everyday Bible School.” Here, she used music, crafts, storytelling, and the Bible to reach the children in her community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hawes’ creative efforts were noticed by Dr. Robert Boville of the New York City Baptist Mission Society and more Bible schools began developing. Over time, these would evolve into what you and I have come to know as Vacation Bible School (VBS), one of THE MOST effective and impactful resources for reaching children with the Gospel that has ever existed.
This week, 350+ children (+ even more adults) will be gathering every day from 9 am – 12 N to play hard, sing loud, hang with friends, make stuff, eat stuff, and, yes, hear the good news that might impact the rest of their lives and eternity.
What a wonderful irony that an idea so huge was birthed in a small Valley (dale) called Hope. For this reason, we labor and strive because we have put our HOPE in the living God
who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10 Pray for us this week… that’s a lot of kids!