As
July begins we are getting geared up for one of the biggest ministry
weeks of the year! VBS at Mount Olive is like nowhere else that I’ve
seen. The number of children who are signed up, the number of families
from the community who entrust their kids to us, the number of
volunteers, the complete takeover of the campus… It is a significant
ministry of the church. It is a huge opportunity for us as a church to
share the love of Jesus with the students and their families. There is
still room for more people to help. Michelle Johnstone can connect you
with a volunteer position if you can be there, even part of the time.
Everyone
can help get things ready on July 8. That Sunday decorating will begin
between worship services – early worship attendees, stay for an hour (or
longer); later worshipers, come early. Then, following the 10:30
service everyone is encouraged to stick around to finish the work.
Planning,
preparing snack and crafts, working on the skits and music, organizing
crews and leaders, keeping track of registration details… all of that
is important to get ready. But the focus of the week happens Monday
through Friday from 9 AM till noon. That’s when we have the chance to
share Jesus with the students. Here they come, let’s share!
| Mark 10:14, 16 (ESV) … [Jesus] said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God… 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. |
While VBS is a significant ministry of the church, there are other opportunities to share Jesus with our community. Here we go! Following the pattern of Dwelling 1:14 to be neighborhood missionaries, we recognize that we are going all the time. We go into our neighborhoods, communities, places of work or play… and we can build relationships there. That investment gives us the chance to share the truth and love of Jesus with people who trust us because we have consistently shown that we care. More information about using the “party pails” to plan a gathering can be found below.
The kids are coming! We are going! Let’s share Jesus!
Pastor John