By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Divided into four classes - ages 1-6, 7-9, 10-11 and 12-21 - the younger children learn through Christ-centered movies and games. Ages 7 to 9 learn books of the Bible.
Older youth are expected to know the Ten Commandments and read scripture from a Bible written especially for teen-agers.
Patrick Hamilton sixth grader Stacy Pulliam, whose mother, Lavina, is one of the teachers, said, "I keep on coming back because I want to learn something and it's fun. Some of the things are kind of new to me."
Charlotte Dillard and the Rev. Tonnie Blackamore are in charge of the oldest youth.
Dillard refers to it as community Bible school because some participants come from other churches and some are not affiliated with any church.
Dillard, the deputy city clerk, said the classes include monthly outings.
The youngsters occupy the fellowship hall in the church basement on S. Paul Street while adults, who have been holding Bible classes for years, meet upstairs.
The Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer are "the basics that they should learn first," Dillard said. "Then you go into the Book of John, because it explains that God created the heaven and earth, even though Genesis also does."
Deadria Murray, who recently moved here from South Bend, Ind., was by kitchen, setting out cookies and other refreshments.
Murray sees what Second Baptist is offering as important "because the community doesn't have very many activities for children. They do have the PAL (Police Athletic League) program, which is a good ideal to teach them about positive things.
The church provides transportation and feeds the youngsters supper.