Vacation Bible School: Then and Now

By Gwen Holt

From the 1980s to the year 2019, things sure have changed. I have been blessed to be a part of such a time as this. Little did I know God would use my life to unfold the pages of this book. Just like the seasons are throughout a year, so are the seasons of our lives. If you were the pastor, the VBS director, a teacher, a kid, a song leader, a game leader, a craft leader, a way of transportation, or maybe you just offered up prayer or maybe you just laid out the cookies and Kool-Aid at VBS, this book is for you! All different ages, all different nationalities come together for one purpose. Some we win, some we lose. There are the highs and lows. There's laughter and tears, but we cannot afford to give up on anyone. Are we willing to be the mothers and fathers or a friend to a parentless generation? Yes, we are! Go with me and bring back the memories of your VBS. Everyone's is different.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645693123

Book preview

cover.jpg

Vacation Bible School

Then and Now

Gwen Holt

Copyright © 2019 by Gwen Holt

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Dedicated to my precious friend and sister in the Lord. I was blessed to know her and work beside her at VBS for many years. She was a wife and mother of 2 wonderful children. Also a member of our church, she was a fighter until the end. Kristy, you were the heartbreak of our church the day you left us. God’s ways are not our ways, but we know through faith, we will see you again. I love you and miss you dearly.

Chapter 1

Mrs. Mayes

Everyone, sing along, ‘What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs we bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.’ Then the pastor concluded, Let us pray. Go with us God. Thank you for everything and help us with our upcoming summer event—Vacation Bible School.

After hearing about VBS for about four weeks, Zack and Liz sat in church wondering if church will ever be over. How much longer until VBS? The more the pastor talked about it, the further away it seemed. VBS was much more fun than church. Well, at least in the minds of kids. Funny how your thoughts were a million miles away when you were in church. The only thing Zach heard the preacher say through the whole two-hour service was, Next week is Vacation Bible School. Kids, get ready.

Zach was always wondering how many kids are coming, if he would have any new friends to meet, how much juice and cookies he would be able to devour during snack time. Oh, and don’t forget the games and crafts. Mrs. Mayes, the VBS director, always seemed to pull things together with a lot of help from everyone in the church. This was not a small ministry, so it took every person doing their part. It was great; kids from the neighborhood came. They learned songs like Jesus Loves Me and the B-I-B-L-E, played games outside, learned truths from the Bible about God, made a craft, and had juice and cookies for snack. They got to do this all week! Then on Sunday night, we rehearsed what we have learned all week and presented it to the whole church. Commencement sure was hard on a shy child, but we did it. Finally, they all would go home until the next year. Life was good.

With his eyes bugged out, adrenaline running, everyone heard a big yes! Of course, it was Zach. Mrs. Mayes was always faithful to have this outreach even though there were always a few kids in number and the kids saying, No one will probably come. The most we ever had in VBS was twenty-three.

She always would say, No matter how many or how few, you were changing that many lives. God never said if a certain number came to Him He would accept them. His Word says, ‘Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ If God wanted us to have more children, then He would send them. He knows what we can handle.

Liz was thinking ahead in life, Man, I hope to be like Mrs. Mayes one day. She always sees the best in everything and everyone. With Mrs. Mayes’s four-foot-nine-inch feeble, little frame, tiny hands, gray hair pinned in a bun, and her long skirts always to her ankles, her skirts would meet the top of her tennis shoes. She had a hard time walking sometimes, so yes, she wore her sneakers to church. Nevertheless, there was always a smile on her face and joy in her heart. You know, she was the grandma of the church. Since school didn’t have a lot going on the last week, that’s when we decided to do VBS, we would see how it goes? Mrs. Mayes stood and tried her best to shout with her squeaky voice, Okay, kids, get ready, and I will see you tomorrow 6:00 p.m. sharp. Shortly after dismissing, everyone left the church, and the parking lot was empty. Mrs. Mayes sat quietly in her car. She looked at the little white building. Her eyes roamed to the top of the tall, pointy steeple that sat in the center of the A-frame roof and next down to the two wooden doors that swing open wide, then onto the gravel parking lot. She prayed for all the kids that would be attending VBS, all the workers, the kids, safe travels to and from the church, and last but not least, salvation. This was the real reason we do what we do, not because it was fun, not because it was easy, not because they were all great, well-behaved kids. Wrong answer. One and only reason was because someone needed to know who Jesus is, and that He died for them to redeem their salvation! As the sun started to fade from the sky, Mrs. Mayes along with Liz and Zach tried to wind down for the night. However, it was so hard to do when all you could think about was VBS and all the fun the church had prepared. Each one was tucked in their own beds with their minds racing; sure made it hard to concentrate on your prayers. Zach then asked God to let the night go very fast, even school the next day! Then the kids slipped off into sweet dreams. The kids’ alarm clocks began screaming at 6:30 a.m. Zach didn’t want to oversleep, so