‘Rolling Chapel’ spreads Bible message to schools

On any given day, the “Rolling Chapel” can be seen at any one of the elementary schools around Culpeper County.

Held inside a climate-controlled, portable classroom, Children’s Bible Ministries’ program teaches elementary school children biblical stories and encourages verse memorization. Participation is optional, though there are benefits to attending.

As Kenny Burt leads a group of children from the Yowell Elementary School lobby, down the sidewalk and just across the parking lot, they step inside the Rolling Chapel parked just off school property. Signs of faith are abundant inside. On this day, Ricky, Burt’s puppet friend, visits, bringing the story of Easter. The third-graders light up when they see Ricky.
CBM was founded in 1935, came to Virginia in 1937 and began in Culpeper County in 1946. Nonprofit and non-denominational, the ministry is financially supported by a variety of local churches, businesses and individuals. CBM operates in nine states with more than 175 staffers.

Locally, CBM began as an outreach in Page County and now, over 5,000 children attend classes in Culpeper, Madison, Orange, Greene and Page Counties. There are eight bible teachers for the five counties.

Burt and his wife, Laura, are full-time missionaries for CBM, and they teach at Farmington and Yowell elementary schools. Chris Hansen is Bible teacher at Emerald Hill, A.G. Richardson, Pearl Sample and Sycamore Park elementary schools and has a degree in ministry. Burt is amazed about the number of children they reach each year through CBM.

“In the elementary schools,” he says, “80 percent of the kids who participate don’t go to church regularly.”

Classes are held monthly under the supervision of two adults. All staff and volunteers undergo criminal background checks and reference checks. Once enrolled, children remain in the program through fifth grade unless parental permission is withdrawn. CBM summer camp is available for all children, whether they attend Bible class or not. There is opportunity to receive camp discounts through Bible verse

memorization and course completion. Camp is offered this summer in June for children in grades 3-6 and in July for grades 7-12.

The lessons this year have been focusing on faith. Faith, Burt tells the children, is believing, trusting and obeying. Glancing around the trailer one can see signs of faith all over.

“I have a friend who really loves me . . . and Jesus is his name,” the children sing, first in English then in Spanish.

Jeffrey Light, pastor at Novum Baptist Church, has been assisting Burt during the 2008-09 school year, and works on the bible verses with the children. Light got on board after Burt came to Novum and spoke to the congregation about the ministry.

As Burt uses a felt board to tell the story about God and who He is, the third graders asked many questions. But when he shared the Easter story, again using the felt board, there was total silence as Burt took Jesus from the tomb and explained how Jesus was alive and was risen.

“On the 40th day,” Burt explained, “He went back to Heaven.”
The children sat open-mouthed as they absorbed the story.

Third grader Michael Quetch said he doesn’t have a favorite part about “Bible”, adding, “I like every part.”

Amy Wagner covers church news for the Star Exponent. Have a story idea? E-mail her at

Want to know more?

What: Children’s Bible Ministries (CBM)
Optional, monthly bible classes offered through local elementary school. Open to all regular education children grades K-5 without regard to race, religion, or country of origin.
How to register your child: Permission forms are available at the CBM table at each school’s Back to School day and/or downloaded from our website. Forms can also be requested through the teachers.
More information about CBM is available on the website, cbmofvirginia.org