By Waylon Bailey, Pastor First Baptist Church Covington
Vacation Bible School begins Monday. It’s going to be a really big day – more than 1000 kids and hundreds of volunteers. It costs a lot of money and takes a tremendous amount of effort.
I am thankful for the volunteers who have made this happen.
Why am I sold on Vacation Bible School?
First, I am sold on VBS because of my own experience. I still remember many things that happened in my own Vacation Bible School. I can’t remember anything negative, but I remember many things positive.
When I attended the Brantley Baptist Church VBS, I was blessed by kind, loving, and gracious people who loved Scripture and loved Jesus. I believe much of my faith and trust came from my experiences in VBS. I’m thankful for those folks.
Second, Vacation Bible School opens the door to many children who otherwise have no understanding of Scripture or of Jesus Christ. Many of these children will not re-enter a church until they can do so on their own as adults or older teenagers, but they will return. When they do they will have a warm feeling about Christ and His church. One of the values of a long pastorate is that you get to see some of the fruit of your labor in the past.
Third, VBS helps us in our strategy of reaching the youngest generation for Christ.
Finally, God’s Spirit has chosen to work through the efforts of pastors and volunteers as they teach children to go deeper in Christ and His word.
Each year we see many children and some adults who come to faith in Christ because of Vacation Bible School.
