According to Christy Burke, children's ministry director with Grace Point Church, BLAST stands for Building Lives And Sharing Truth. BLAST - brought about by a partnership between Grace Point and The Factory Ministries - returned to The Factory, 3293 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, in mid-October, meeting each Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The first session will last through Nov. 20.

BLAST is open to children in the Pequea Valley area age 3 through grade five. According to Cassady Foote, member of the BLAST leadership team, attendees are divided by grades, with all preschoolers meeting in the Braves Learning Center. "It's a small group focus for kids to play games and build relationships," explained Burke. "But we also dive deeper into Bible stories in a fun way." Each session of BLAST - fall, winter, and spring - has a different theme. The fall program is focused on the parables of Jesus.

Each BLAST session begins with a large group time where a Bible story is introduced. Next, attendees move to a variety of stations, including a craft center, game time in the gym, and a snack. Preschoolers spend the whole time in the Braves Learning Center.

The final night of each session is reserved for family members to attend along with the children, and a meal is served for all attendees. "We set the gym up with stations that give (parents) a sneak peek at what we've been doing at BLAST," explained Foote. "It's all in the gym, and they go to different stations and there's crafts and games."

Burke said that the final BLAST of each session is always especially fun. "It's not just the kids (participating) with parents standing there watching," she explained. "On family night, all of the stations are done together by parents and kids."

Foote said that the program moved from Grace Point to The Factory two years ago. Foote serves along with Burke, Liana Rogers, and Lauren Petersheim. Karla Beiler, elementary programs director with The Factory, works with Grace Point to coordinate the program. All volunteers have the necessary clearances.

Beiler said she was happy to join forces with the church to offer area children a Wednesday night program at the facility. "I love the partnership with Grace Point and to be able to host an event that the community can feel safe coming to," she noted. "It's a Gospel-centered program, which I really love."

According to Burke, children who wish to attend need not be connected to The Factory, Grace Point, or any area church, and there is no cost to take part. "Since we moved here, we have seen a lot more people who don't go to Grace Point or The Factory (attend)," said Foote.

Readers who would like to know more about BLAST or register their children may visit https://gracepointparadise.com and click on "BLAST" under the "Ministries" tab.