NATCHEZ — Some missionaries travel across the world spread the gospel, but a couple of First Baptist Church Natchez members only need a set of tools and a little imagination to do the Lord’s work in their own backyard.

And when The Dart landed at First Baptist Friday, it found Terry Fisher and Tommy Cotten constructing a miniature Ferris wheel as part of the set of the church’s upcoming Colossal Coaster World vacation Bible school June 10-14.

Fisher and Cotten have spent the last week-and-a-half working on the amusement park-style set for the event, which will include replicas of the Ferris wheel, carnival swings and a rollercoaster.

The church uses LifeWay Christian Resources’ theme for its vacation Bible school, which includes instructions on how to construct the set and props for the school.

This year, Fisher said, the instructions said to draw a rollercoaster on large board and use it for the school.

“But we knew that wasn’t going to be enough,” Fisher said.

Instead, Fisher and Cotten constructed a rollercoaster with a loop on the stage of the church’s family life center out of PVC pipe that is lined with rope lights. The rollercoaster even has a car on it with puppet passengers and a ticket gate.

The set also features ticket booths, maroon and yellow circus-style tents and other decorations.

Church members Pat Day, Mary Lou Perkins, Gene Perkins, Gwenette Broome and others have also been working on designing the set and putting together Bible school, said Tanya Fisher, who works in the church’s office.

“We usually have a really big crowd every year,” she said.

This year’s Colossal Coaster World vacation Bible school will teach children to face their fears and trust God, Tanya said. Each day will focus on 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment.”

Terry Fisher is modest about his talent for building sets for the church.

“There are plenty of other people here more talented than me,” he said.

But Terry Fisher said he does consider helping out with vacation Bible school by building sets his own version of mission work.

“If I can make an impression on the kids, and they get involved in this and it enhances their learning, that’s the main thing,” Fisher said.

Today’s children, Fisher said, are so plugged-in to their iPads, video games and TV, that it may take a miniature rollercoaster to keep their attention.

“Today’s kids, you have to keep them stimulated to learn because they’re so stimulated all the time,” he said.

Vacation Bible school for Fisher and Cotten never dreamt their church would transform into a rollercoaster world.

“Bible school meant Kool-Aid and a cookie,” Cotten joked.