Dear First Baptist Family,
I was baptized in 1979, just a few weeks after I accepted Christ at a Vacation Bible School in Columbia, South Carolina. That year, the theme song was “Fairest Lord Jesus.” A lot has changed over the years with Vacation Bible School! But some things have not changed.
Every year, VBS opens the door to something bigger than crafts and games. It’s a place where kids encounter Jesus, often for the first time—and where families find a welcoming community when they need it most.
How can you help with this effort June 2nd-6th?
Volunteer
One of our core commitments is to raise up the next generation for Jesus Christ. Through VBS, we follow the example of Jesus who said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14, NIV)
You can bless children at VBS by teaching Bible stories, helping with a small group, playing games, or a number of other ways.
It’s a big commitment, but VBS can make an eternal impact in the life of every child you serve. Even if you can only help for a few days, it’s worth the time! To learn more about volunteering, contact Susan Tatum, Minister with Children and Families, at [email protected].
Pray
Those who are unable to volunteer can still pray.
You can pray for the openness of children’s hearts, that God would lead families to bring their children, for God’s Spirit to be experienced through the week, that the faith of children would be strengthened, and that some would trust Jesus for salvation and be baptized.
In fact, start to pray now for VBS if you haven’t already started. Every prayer that comes before God’s throne can make a difference.
Spread the Word
This past Saturday, our new Outreach Ministry Team met to pray for our neighbors in downtown, South Knoxville, and East Knoxville. We handed out postcards to families who were participating in the Farmers Market on Market Square. We also fanned out to put up VBS posters in local businesses.
If you would like a stack of postcards to give out to your neighborhood, please let Ministry Assistant Kerra Mueller know at [email protected].
It could be that God uses you in a special way to bring one of your neighbors to faith in Jesus Christ. That faith has the potential to ripple through their whole family.
Encourage Music Camp as you Recruit for VBS
It’s also good to encourage families you know to participate in Music Camp (immediately following VBS each day from 12:15pm-4pm). This year’s theme is Voyages: Seafaring Stories from Scripture. Our gifted teachers are preparing an incredible experience for children to develop their worship and musical skills.
Together we will make a huge difference in the lives of children and families! I’m looking forward to what God does June 2nd-6th through First Baptist.
With love,
Pastor Brent McDougal