Guest Post by Giselle Ryan, Children’s Pastor at Radiant Church – Surprise, Arizona

There’s nothing like a couple of kids and a week of VBS. Something magical happens when time is set aside to creatively engage kids of all ages, pointing them to the story of Jesus. I’ve seen nothing but good things come out of doing VBS. Not only are kids impacted but parents see the effects. Conversations are sparked in the home centered on Jesus. Curiosity is created in kids to ask questions regarding faith and how it relates to themselves. The wonderful volunteers that help to run the show are as well impacted by being a part. They get to be in the discussions and work to form relationships with the kids. It is so satisfying for volunteers to teach kids about their Creator and have a blast while doing it.

When I first helped to direct a VBS I was rather overwhelmed. There is so much work involved in accomplishing a big feat such as VBS. From creating the coolest games that engage kids to preparing the snacks for each day to coordinating with every volunteer making sure they know what they’re doing, VBS is quite the task to take on. Amid getting everything accomplished it’s easy to get lost in the details and the deadlines and forget the reason why you started it all in the first place. The countless hours put in at the church and with the help of many volunteers, we were able to complete it all in time.

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Once the first day started, I quickly remembered all the hard work was for a purpose. The excitement in the kids mixed with all the activities we plan for them and the incredible truth we get to teach is magnetic. By the last day I was filled with a mixture of exhaustion and utter fulfillment giving all I had to this special week. To hear the feedback from volunteers on how impactful this one week had on them was rewarding. The volunteers made special connections with kids, other leaders, and saw the importance of investing in the next generation.

At our church we call VBS Kids Week and we look at it almost like a summer camp experience without having the kids overnight. We get the kids for the first half of the day and by noon they are ready to be picked up. We have different themes for each day so everyone can dress up like crazy hair day. The last day is always water day, a day everyone looks forward to. We play all the games outside and the kids get soaked. It’s a day full of sunscreen, snow cones, and laughter.

I love to create exciting moments for kids and then tie it all back to Jesus. When you love on kids, they’ll listen to what you have to say. It’s through relationship where transformation takes place. And that’s why I love VBS because it helps to create genuine relationships for kids. Most importantly their relationship with God is better understood and then they make connections with others which gives them someone to further their growth in faith with.

I can’t wait to see what this year’s VBS has in store.

Guest Post by Giselle Ryan, Children’s Pastor at Radiant Church – Surprise, Arizona

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