A certain excitement swirls in the air during this year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) week. The hallways are decorated to this year’s “Game On” sports theme. A sea of bright blue VBS shirts fill the classrooms. Smiling faces across the Salem campus welcome parents and kids as they enter. Truly, everyone who walks on campus during VBS is immersed in a joy-filled experience.
Kids start the day in small groups based on their age and grade. They then visit the “Pep Rally” to help them get ready for the rest of their time at VBS each day. Pastor Wesley reminds the kids of their Bible memory verse, 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence.”
After the Pep Rally, the kids visit different rotations to help solidify what they are learning. At the Team Missions rotation, Keenan Micol helps kids understand what it is like to live life on mission every day. He plays video stories about everyday people who seek to share the Gospel with those they know. In their discussions, Keenan and the kids learn that living for Jesus is a choice to be made each day.
Keenan’s joy for Jesus is quite contagious. One sweet girl expressed that she wanted to be just like him. Though it was a flattering comment, Keenan realizes that kids pick up habits from people they look up to. It is a big responsibility to carry! Thankfully, God is surrounding the kids at Salem with adults like Keenan who are excited about Jesus. In turn, Keenan notes, “it’s almost like … they’re seeing the Gospel lived out through you.”
“May we continue to pass on this excitement of life in Christ!”
VBS encapsulates God’s heart for His Church to be disciples that make disciples. The excitement of VBS makes it a perfect time to share with kids just how awesome our good King Jesus really is. They can then pick up this energy and share it with others.
Yet, even after VBS is cleaned up and the decorations are tucked away, living life intentionally with others should not be. The same excitement that we bring into VBS is the same excitement we continue to live out afterwards. Similarly, the same desire to disciple others during VBS week is the same passion that springs us into action thereafter. What a great privilege it is to continue glorifying God, making disciples who pursue Jesus, and sharing His story with those around us. May we continue to pass on this excitement of life in Christ!
This VBS story first appeared in Salem’s July 2018 Update. Click here to download it!