Adventure, Faith, and a Little VBS Glitter
By Rev. Tom Parkinson
Several years ago, the satirical news website The Babylon Bee ran a story with the headline, “Archaeologists uncover glitter still held in early church carpet from VBS held in 150 A.D.” The humorous headline has some truth in it – glitter in carpet truly does have thousands of years staying power! And while Vacation Bible School (VBS) has not been around since the early church, it roots stretch back farther than most of us realize.
The origins of VBS date to 1898 in New York City. Virginia Sinclair Hawes noticed that local children had little to do and were at times not safe during the summer months. She rented a local beer parlor and welcomed kids to hear Bible stories, sing hymns, and make crafts. The summer-time gatherings provided a safe environment for neighborhood kids, while also promoting Christian values.
Inspired by Hawes’ program, thousands of churches across the country established their own summertime programs, with various denominations standardizing VBS curriculums. In the early years, VBS programs were often four hours a day, five days a week, for five weeks! I cannot imagine the level of exhaustion for VBS leaders in those early days!
Much has changed since those early marathon programs, but the heart of VBS has remained remarkably consistent. In modern times, VBS has adapted into a weeklong summer program, with a continued focus on Bible teaching, singing, craft-making, and games. While kids now have a plethora of summertime options, VBS provides a way for families to include faith formation in their summer planning.
VBS matters because it plants seeds of faith that can grow for a lifetime. In a world where children are pulled in countless directions, a week centered on God’s love gives them a foundation no sport, camp, or screen can offer. When a child hears that they are loved by Jesus, welcomed by a church family, and created with purpose, it shapes how they see themselves and how they see the world.
At Dutilh Church, we are proud to carry on the 128-year tradition of VBS! Next week, we will welcome about 300 children from our church and community to hear the good news of God’s love at Rainforest Falls. More than 120 volunteers will spend time creating a fun tropical environment where kids can explore the nature of God, hear the gospel of Jesus, and make new friends!
Of course, a ministry of this size doesn’t happen automatically. As a pastor, I have learned not to take for granted a VBS program. As essential as the program is to our church’s effort to raise kids up as followers of Jesus, it is not a guarantee that we will have a great program. VBS would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of a committed team. Led by Sarah Hogue, we have a dynamic team that has been working hard to make VBS a huge success this year.
Every year during VBS, I get to tell kids the story of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. I present the gospel to the kids and invite them to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. When I see kids’ eyes being opened to the truth of God’s love for them, it reminds me why VBS is so special. VBS changes lives!
Please join me in praying for our VBS. Pray for children to experience the love of Jesus, our church to connect with new families, our volunteers to be filled the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and for the safety of all participants. And, by God’s grace, pray that the glitter will come out of the carpet!