There are those in the ministry world who don't see any value in VBS. They are of the opinion that VBS is an ineffective tool to reach children for Christ. VBS is criticized for many reasons. One criticism I have heard is that it is often used as free baby sitting by the parents. Another criticism I've heard is that it's too much fun and not enough Bible study. Yet another criticism is that it is not an effective way to spread the gospel and reach people for Christ. However, I beg to differ with these criticisms as well as any others that people have offered up against VBS.
Here's why we do VBS. (Be sure to pause my playlist before viewing video.)
I am a product of VBS. It is where the seeds of faith were implanted in my heart. It is where I first learned about Christ, His love for me, and what He did on the cross. It is where a desire for God's Word first sprung in my heart. My parents may not have faithfully attended church, but they did take us to VBS every year when we were young. I trace my spiritual roots back to VBS. For it is at VBS that I first heard that salvation was not automatic, that you have to admit you are a sinner, believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died and rose again on the third day, and confess Him as your Lord and Savior. It got me to thinking about Christ and what I believed.
Another reason I believe in VBS is I've seen God do great things in the hearts of children who participate and even in families. For the past two years we've reached on average 100 to 120 children through VBS. At each of the past two VBS events, we've had at least 20 children who have asked Christ into their hearts as Lord and Savior. You see, we gear up that whole week to earn their trust, to speak to them about God's Truth and who Christ is. Then on Thursday night we present the plan of salvation in terms that they can understand. The Holy Spirit has always faithfully movee upon those nights in a great way. It's awesome to see children come forward to kneel and pray for Christ to come into their hearts. It's wonderful to see families sitting in the atrium afterwards, talking about Jesus Christ with their children. It's awesome to see the number of children baptized after each VBS. God is so faithful in helping us spread the Gospel to the children of Pace.
Please be in prayer as we are one month away from the BIGGEST CHILDREN'S OUTREACH EVENT of the year. We are already being challenged in big ways by the enemy to keep this from happening. Our resources are being challenged as we do not have enough help. Our advertising campaign for VBS is being challenged as the signs we've ordered have not come in as indicated. Even our decorations and supplies that were ordered two weeks ago have not arrived on time. Despite this, God will pull it off. God is about to do something GREAT through this event and that is why we are facing challenges. Pray for VBS and for the children's ministry to spread the GOOD NEWS to as many children as possible. Invite children in your neighborhood to come. Pick up extra VBS pre-registration forms from the information table or children's table and give them to every child you know. Pray for the volunteers who have already been working hard and deligently making preparations. Join up with us and serve Christ through this ministry. We are still in need of servants. It will be absolutely awesome to witness once again how God can use us to reach children with the message of salvation!
Let me leave you with a story of just how powerfully God can use VBS to impact a child's life. About 10 years ago, I was teaching a VBS class of 3rd and 4th graders. In that somewhat large class was a troubled young man. You see, he was from Texas, visiting his grandparents for the summer. His grandparents were quite concerned with their grandson. You see, his dad was very abusive to him. He had come to stay with his grandparents that summer while his dad was getting 'help' for his anger issues. During this particular VBS, with children sitting crossed legged on the floor around me, I taught about Christ's love for them and how they could have eternal life. The children were very attentive, but this young man was especially so. As I taught, this young man began asking questions. He asked what did he need to do to become saved. As tears welled up in my eyes, I shared with him how he could know Jesus. He asked if I'd pray with him. Sitting there on the floor, holding hands, heads bowed, we prayed. He asked Jesus to come into his heart. When his grandparents came to pick him up, I shared the good news with them. They were so happy. They were crying. I was crying. We all were crying. The following Sunday, that young man got baptized. His grandparents were just filled with joy. I was too. Then came the end of the summer. The boy had to return to Texas, back to the father that had abused him in the past. The grandparents were torn. My heart was heavy. In the midst of my worry and concern over this precious child of God, God reminded me that this little boy was not returning home alone. Christ was now with him, he would never, ever be alone again. I often wonder about that young man. Every year as I begin VBS plans I think about him. Every single thing about VBS reminds me of him. It's God's way of reminding me why we do VBS. You see, it doesn't matter if we have 1000 children or only 10 children at VBS. Ifwe can even reach just one child for Christ, with God's help, then it's worth it!
God's blazing a trail with VBS 2009! Saddle up your horses and join us!
In His Love, Cathy
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