Start Spreading the News...I'm Leaving for NYC (at First Baptist Church that is...)

So VBS (Vacation Bible School) starts this coming week.  Yay!  Boys and girls coming together to learn about, sing about, create things about, and run around for JESUS!  I L-U-V it!

VBS growing up for me was so much fun and I looked forward to it every year.  My earliest memories are of attending multiple VBS' at multiple churches each summer.  It was fun to do different themes throughout the summer.  My most favorite VBS' are the ones that I attended in Hong Kong and then the ones I taught in Hong Kong.  They are my favorite because they were the most unconventional.  Hearing the VBS message preached in English & translated in Chinese is definitely not something you'd hear in a normal church in America!

I really like the theme this year - Big Apple Adventure.  I think its one of the first VBS themes that meets kids where they are in life.  I know some probably have a negative look at it because of the negative NY connotations, but the music/atmosphere/look/media is so much more 2011-kid-friendly.  I am praying for this VBS that it will touch many lives.

I am missions director this year.  The missions theme is very local this year which is good.  I am looking forward to highlighting local missions and making the kids aware of what goes on as far as missions goes around my area.  One day we are learning about the ZOE Church in Brazil.  I am excited because I have a friend who is a missionary with the ZOE Church in Brazil; he has agreed to talk with the kids via Skype from Brazil.  I know they will think that is so cool.  Our mission project highlights that "We CAN help the homeless."  Any idea what kids will be bringing in?  Yup...cans...canned foods for our church food pantry & our local food kitchen - The Daily Bread.  It's a missions competition against the boys & girls again so I know it'll be OUT OF CONTROL...which is a tremendously awesome thing!

Later this month, I will be leading music for a Backyard Bible Club VBS...so this won't be the end of my Big Apple Adventure!  Sadly, I will not be going to Hong Kong this year to do VBS, but will be praying for the team that does go as they have a Big "Chinese" Apple Adventure.. :)

I'm sure that if Jesus were on the earth today, he would most definitely promote VBS.  In Matthew 19:14 he said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Lord Jesus, prepare the hearts of those children that come into your Father's house this coming week.  Help them be receptive to your word, seek to find answers to their questions, and find the love that only you can give.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen.