We’ve had a great week for Vacation Bible School–great kids, great leaders, and a great purpose.
Vacation Bible School is a great opportunity for churches. VBS takes a tremendous amount of energy, expense, and time, but I believe VBS is one of the most important weeks of the year.
What kind of opportunity does it give the church?
First, and this may be much more important than we think, it helps the church connect with the community. For example, at my church–FBC, Covington, Louisiana, we reach a significant amount of people from the community as a whole. Since VBS is funded completely by the church, the community looks at VBS as our gift to the community. We care for children and give them a fun time in an energetic atmosphere. The children can’t wait for the next day or the next year.
Second, VBS makes your church attractive to a whole generation of young people. In a country where many young people have no church experience, VBS gives them a warm, inviting introduction to the church. Ten years from now FBC Covington will have young adults attending who came to VBS this week. We may not reach any new families this week, but we may reach many new families ten years from now.
Third, we have the opportunity to introduce the Bible and the power of God’s Word to young minds and young hearts. Sin has a cumulative affect on people. The longer we sin the more hard our heart becomes. For this reason, reaching older people becomes very difficult. I am thankful for a ministry such as VBS where young people get to hear God’s Word and receive God’s story.
Finally, each year we see a significant number of children come to faith in Christ. I came to Christ at age 9. For all of my teen and adult years I have experienced the wonderful blessing of the Holy Spirit. I thank God for volunteers who give so much in order for children to receive so much.
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2 Responses
First, VBS is evidence of His Light Shining from this location.
Second, this action (VBS) gives evidence of a vision.
Third, not only is the heart hardened by sin over time but the evidence of sin sick souls builds with each generation away from God’s Grace. Celebrate Recovery is but one example of this evidence at “Your Church.”
Finally, but always a work in progress is the evidence of Romans 12 being put into practice. The Fruit of Christ in this offering gives evidence of Him in our midst. The Apostle Paul with His Lord must smile at the offering and the potential VBS represents.
I know you join with me in prayer as I join you, that the Holy Spirit might effect the change in each heart necessary for these children to know what you have been Blessed to know. For we know: His Love is our Hope. He leaves it up to us to apply. In my flesh I ask, “What was He thinking to trust us?” In my spirit I know it is the “only path” as set from the beginning – to His Kingdom, His Plan for us.
Dr. Bailey, this may be the most significant post of yours I have read yet. You clearly put to practice the admonition of the King: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV) My son, Erick, gave me this Bible. I read “he that keepeth the law, happy is he,” as: he that keeps God’s Word in his heart as revealed by his actions, his relationship with the Father is established now and forever. It is a balm to my scars to hear you preach this Truth and see/experience evidence of its practice.
It is good to have the confidence to know this activity is a Blessing of our Lord and will be used by Him to multiply the Blessings. AMEN
Thanks so much for helping us emphasize the point