
Voices only: VBS music video edition
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Children in Langkiwa, Philippines, participate in the “Growing Up with Jesus” VBS. (Photo provided by Ronnie Cariaga)
Summertime means Vacation Bible School, no matter where you are in the world (and regardless of whether or not you have air conditioning).
Ronnie Cariaga, a church member in Bacoor, Philippines, helped a group of young people conduct VBS for the Paranaque Church of Christ recently. Word spread about the success of the event, so churches in the cities of Langkiwa and Piela asked to be a part of the experience.
“So, we brought the same lessons and teachers to these congregations,” Cariaga said. “Without chairs and place to hold the VBS, amidst the scorching heat of the sun and hot temperature rising to 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) with just two electric fans, these kids came day after day to learn new things.”
Last year Paula Harrington wrote a Views column about the importance of VBS. She also debated the accuracy of the term Vacation Bible School:
Those teaching are fully aware that the name is misleading — there is no vacation involved. Teaching the Bible to happy, over-excited kids is no small feat, but getting the opportunity to watch a child who has never sat in a Bible class answer questions about the lesson by the end of the day or a child who has never heard the song “Jesus Loves Me” sing it by week’s end is worth every ounce of spilled Kool-Aid and cookie crumb-covered floors.
When statistics show that some of our young people are leaving the church, there is no reason why a congregation can’t come together for a few days to focus its time and energy completely on youth. What an enjoyable and significant way to prove to them how interested we are in their spiritual growth.
Following are more pictures from VBS in the Philippines.
Please send us info and photos about your church’s VBS — no matter what country you call home.
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