Each year churches plan, prepare, pray and pull off a summer outreach using three familiar letters: V.B.S. Each summer, thousands of churches boldly reach out to their community and tens of thousands of kids are impacted by Vacation Bible School.
How do you spell work? VBS.
VBS doesn’t happen on it’s own. Those glitter-covered block letters, “VBS” don’t stack themselves! We labor intensely for months. We organize a mountain of details. We recruit a small army of volunteers who, not surprisingly, say, “Is it really that time of year again?!” We rally the troops and we cast the vision. We attempt, once again, to gain traction with the church at large, hoping they will “get it”. We decorate late into the night. We recruit again to fill holes late in the game.
In the midst of it all, in the quiet of our hearts, we will inevitably ask ourselves, “What is the point?” Well, it is the Gospel.
It's About the Gospel
Our labor is for the Good News of Jesus Christ. We organize for the opportunity to proclaim salvation. We recruit and rally a regiment of moms, dads, senior saints and seniors in high school for one end: The Gospel. Our drive, our determination and our dedication are singularly directed: IT is the Gospel. The fun is a bonus. The laughter from games is a joyful noise. The challenge of scheduling is an outlet for our well-managed OCD. And...in a sick way, we love it. VBS is a fun ministry event.
Yet, when it is all said and done, it IS about the Gospel. The songs point to the cross. Our prayers are ratcheted up a notch. Our hearts swell as we see impromptu gatherings of volunteers in prayer. We all want nothing more than the message of Jesus to be clearly communicated to kids. It is about THE Gospel. The Gospel compels me. It is the why behind every late night push, the fuel behind every conquered roadblock and prize at the end of this race. It is about the GOSPEL.
This Year, Do Not Lose Heart
So this year, may we never forget the promises found in scripture concerning our efforts. “Nothing you do in the Lord is in vain.” - 1st Corinthians 15:58
“For God is not unjust, so as to forget your work and the love you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.” - Hebrews 6:10
As a full-time children’s pastor in the local church for over a decade, I had my own set of sleepless nights, organizational challenges and roadblocks along the way. Yet, it has always been about the Gospel.
Cool Science + Made Simple -> Reach Kids
I encourage you to check out Science VBS and our “Every Day Gospel Guarantee”. I did not want to create a predictably canned curriculum, only sharing the Gospel on “Day #4” of the week. Each and every day of Science VBS, kids will hear and experience a clear, compelling and “science-cool” message of salvation.It is about the Gospel. Guaranteed.
