Celebrate Vacation Bible School!

“Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.’” (Luke 18:16)

As you read this article, our children are in “Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus Was A Little Boy,” this year’s Vacation Bible School (V.B.S.) – find out more HERE . But did you know that the idea for V.B.S. came from a Methodist over 100 years ago? Sunday School teacher and wife of a Methodist Minister, Mrs. D.T. Miles of Hopedale, Illinois felt that children needed more time to learn about the Bible and their faith than was available on Sunday morning.

So in May 1894, responding to this need, and to the complaints of boredom in the summer from community children, she got approval to use a schoolhouse to instruct 37 children for four-weeks in “the proper use of the Bible” in what is believed to be the first V.B.S. The curriculum also included singing, storytelling, contests, physical exercises, and marches.

Although started by a Methodist, the idea soon caught on, and by 1907 a national association of Vacation Bible Schools was formed that included persons from many different Christian denominations. Today churches everywhere plan V.B.S. as one of the most important outreach and children’s ministries of the year.

So I hope you will join in expressing many thanks to our Children’s Pastor Cindy Campbell, our Children’ Ministry Team Leader Mark Haman, and to all of our many teachers, workers, and volunteers for the hard work that they have put into ensuring that this year’s V.B.S. is a success. Through it, our church is touching the hearts and lives of many children for the God’s Kingdom. God loves you and I do, too!