VBS 2017 REPORT

Tay Bee Heng

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Prov 22:6).

VBS Objectives

The Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a ministry of True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church (TLBPC) to children from ages 4 to 12 and teenagers from ages 13 to 14. The objectives of the VBS are (1) to evangelise children with the Gospel of Christ and (2) to teach them the Word of God which is in fulfilment of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20.

VBS Theme and Lessons

By God’s grace, this is the 10^th year of the VBS which started in 2008. This year, VBS was held from 31 May to 2 June 2017 at Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church with the theme “In the Beginning God …” based on Genesis 1:1. God guided the committee to go back to the basics – how this world and man come about.

A total of five lessons were taught in each level, namely Preschool, Lowers, Uppers and Teens: (1) God Created the World (Gen 1:1–26); (2) God Created Man (Gen 1:26–Gen 2); (3) God Promised a Saviour (Gen 3); (4) God Punished the World (Genesis 6:5–7:24) and (5) God Keeps His Promises (Gen 8–9:17; 2 Pet 3:9).

God Provided the Volunteers

We truly thank God for moving the hearts of True Life brethren to sign up as VBS volunteers, for the humility that these volunteers had demonstrated in being willing to take up the roles that were assigned to them, and for their cheerful spirit to serve in their respective capacities. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col 3:23). We are also grateful to the Lord for FEBC in providing a number of college students to serve in the VBS.

Our grateful thanks to God for those who have laboured quietly behind the scene, even weeks before VBS itself – the brethren who met to draw and paint the props for the skit on creation, the brethren who have spent time cutting and preparing the craft materials for all the children and the brethren who have arranged the chairs and tables to customise the rooms to meet the logistics needs of each department.

Indeed, God had sent His people with the various spiritual gift(s) that He has bestowed upon each one of them, to serve in the appropriate areas of the ministry. Brethren from all walks of life, regardless of their vocation or status, served joyfully in the areas of need in various departments. Some brethren even applied for urgent leave from their work and took time off from their businesses. We are touched by their zeal and sacrificial love for God.

The brethren who came forward to serve, came from the various fellowships in the church. Truly the Word of God in action is witnessed. “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” (1 Cor 12:27). “There is one body, and one Spirit … One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all … But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ … For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph 4:4–7; 12).

God Sent the Children

The registration for children started at the beginning of March and the number of children who registered came in quite steadily from March to April. More than 60% of the parents had gone online to register their children. By mid-May, most of the children had registered. This provided ample time for the transport team to plan the routes and confirm the vans early. Thank God.

We had about 120 daily. The average daily attendance for each department is as follows: Teens 14, Uppers 23, Lowers 34, Preschool 49.

It has been three years since the Teens department was started. We have seen an increase in registration and the average daily attendance has risen from 9 to 14. We praise the Lord for sending all the teens and children, especially in the Preschool department. Since last year, we have been having two classes for the Preschool department instead of one, due to the unexpected increase that God has so graciously given. Truly, the words of our loving Saviour reminds us, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14).

God Is Our Protector

We thank God for His protection on both the children and the volunteers throughout the three days of VBS. He granted safety and journey mercies to the drivers of church vans, vendor vans and private cars who had to fetch the children to and from the venue. The children and teens managed to enjoy the games at the various stations both outdoors and indoors, without sustaining any injuries. Thank God for His sustaining grace upon the food team helpers too, who purchased and transported the food from various reliable food outlets.

God Is Our Helper and Guide

In addition to the teaching of God’s Word, the three-day programme included singspiration, art and craft sessions that were planned to reinforce the lessons taught in Genesis. Station games were designed to further reiterate the lessons and memory verses learnt. Videos appropriate to the theme and lessons such as “The Global Flood & Noah’s Ark” and “God of Wonders” were screened for the Lowers and Uppers as well as Teens respectively.

The programme culminated in the VBS Night on the last day where approximately 160 parents and guests (excluding church members) attended to watch their children’s presentation items, but most importantly, to hear the gospel. Thank God for Pastor Jeffrey Khoo who faithfully preached God’s Word, to exhort both parents and children to heed the gospel call to salvation. Parents desire to give their best to their children on earth but what can be better than giving them the Good News that they may inherit eternal life in Heaven? “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) Thank God for enabling the children to stay quiet and pay attention throughout the whole message.

Thank God for helping the children to present the lessons they have learnt through songs and skits related to the theme of Creation, and for granting the teachers and volunteers the patience to guide them during the practices. It is our prayer that with each VBS, the children will take home with them the precious gospel truth and confess Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour in His appointed time. Salvation is of the Lord. (Jon 2:9b)

God Is Our Master

Though VBS is in its 10^th year, there are new challenges faced each year. There are yet many areas for the committee to work on and to improve. Much funds, time and effort have been spent on the VBS. We pray that we will not regard the VBS as just a yearly exercise but to continue to serve the Lord in humility, out of love for Him and for the children. We seek to give of our best to the Master for it is a privilege to serve Him.

May all glory, honour and praise be due unto the only wise God! Amen.

VBS Gospel Night