Just as sure as June comes, so does Vacation Bible School. Today, we salute those churches that still have Vacation Bible School and give kids something special to look forward to during their summer vacation from school and teach them about Jesus and his love for them.
Among churches having Vacation Bible School this week are Milligan Free Will, Zion Baptist, Holly Springs and Union Baptist Church. Sinking Creek, Lynn Valley and Siam will have Bible School next week and many other churches will be holding their own VBS in coming weeks. Others have already had Bible School.
Some are in the daytime. Others are in the evening and get the parents and other adult church members involved. Some involve community service projects or collect offerings that are used to help with some need in the church or community.
A popular theme of this year’s Bible School has been”Roar: Life Is Wild; God Is Good.” Whatever the theme, there’s plenty of music, games, arts and crafts and snacks, along with Bible stories to make sure the kids leave with an excitement they want to share with others and a feeling of security because of God’s love for them.
The origins of Vacation Bible School can be traced back to Hopedale, Ill., in 1894. Sunday school teacher D.T. Miles, who also was a public school teacher, felt she was limited by time constraints in teaching the Bible to children. So, she started a daily Bible School to teach children during the summer.
Others have traced the origin of Vacation Bible School back to Boston just after the Civil War, but it’s generally agreed that the first VBS antecedent to be held as a summer church-run activity took place starting in 1877 in Montreal, Canada. Then in 1898 Eliza Hawes, the children’s ministry director at New York City’s Baptist Church of the Epiphany, organized an “Everyday Bible School.” Originally held at a rented beer hall, attendance plummeted in 1900 when Epiphany’s pastor insisted on relocating to the church itself. The program moved back near the beer hall the following year, Hawes’ last at the church, when she ran seven separate schools.
Many people may wonder what the purpose of Vacation Bible School is and if it’s still relevant. The answer is actually very simple: the purpose of VBS is to minister to children in the church, create outreach to the surrounding communities, and to create evangelism opportunities.
It is an important time for children for several reasons. Children are encouraged to attend and have fun as they learn more about God and the Bible. They learn great stories from the Bible that always teach love and respect for others and especially God’s love for children.
For many, when you hear the words Vacation Bible School, there are fond memories of fun times, a favorite teacher or an experience that had an impact on your life.
VBS is alive and well in the Elizabethton community. It is one of those traditions in American Christianity that is well-established, but not as old as you might think.