It Takes A Village
One of the things I love about EBC is our commitment to seeing kids come to love and savor the God of the Bible. Anna Chalker, our children’s ministry director, reminds us every so often from up front that the goal of the EBC children’s ministry is: We want our children to have joy in Jesus, to develop a deep love for God and his Word, and to shine the light of Christ to our world. To see this vision accomplished, it takes a village! Taking nothing away from the impact that parents will have on the lives of their children – God has set up His church as that “village.” The church fills a crucial role in God building His Kingdom on Earth by further impressing the truths of the scriptures that are being taught at home by parents. We saw this on full display this past week at VBS.
Teens Making Disciples
As shared over the weekend, 60+ teens were involved in leading our children this past week. The most beautiful thing about it? Most of those teens were, only a couple years ago, elementary students attending VBS. I talked to a number of VBS students this week, 4th-5th graders, who said they can’t wait to be a VBS leader. That speaks to the impact that our teenagers are having on our kids. And it impresses just how much we should, as Paul says in 1 Timothy 4, never look down on our youth and the impact that they have in the mission of making disciples.
Adults Sharing Truth
It’s been said, but I’ll say it again: There is no better way to learn truth, than to teach truth. This past week, 60+ adult volunteers learned the truths in the book of Nehemiah, and spent time cultivating lessons, crafts, games, snacks, etc. that tied those truths to practical lessons for our kids. Every aspect of VBS, down to the little details, drives home to our kids that the church is full of people who not only believe, but have based their lives on the truths in the Scriptures. And on the other end, the adults came away blessed with a fuller understanding of God’s lessons to us in the book of Nehemiah.
The Church Cultivating Belonging
The reason that we pull out all the stops at VBS for our kids is so that, for one week, we can show our kids in tangible ways just how much they are valued, and they belong within the church. God’s church is not just for big people – it’s also purposed at training up the next generations. In an increasingly confusing world that teaches children that they are on a journey of self-discovery – the church teaches the all-important truth that they are truly found in Christ, and that they belong to God.
Truly last week was beautiful. Exhausting, yes. But worth it, should even one of the seeds planted last week in the hearts of the kids that attended turn into a fruit bearing tree. May it be so, Lord!
In Christ’s Mercy,
Pastor Ryan A
Categories: Evergreen Connection