By Rhonda Vancleave
Each year, the third Sunday in May is designated as the National Day of Prayer for VBS. It is at this time that thousands of churches are ramping up their focus on VBS. VBS directors are making final preparations. VBS leaders are organizing their resources and gathering the items they need to make VBS fun and exciting. This special day of prayer focuses on the leaders who are preparing, the kids who will come, the friends they will bring, and especially those who will discover their need for a Savior.
Sunday, May 17, 2020, is this year’s National Day of Prayer for VBS, and we find ourselves in a set of circumstances that may be drastically different for each church. But, some things are still the same. God is still God. He is sovereign and good. God’s message is still true. Jesus is the only way to receive salvation. Churches are still finding ways to share that message with the people around them.
Some churches are changing their VBS dates and discovering the unique adjustments that entails. Some are looking for ways to gather in smaller numbers or in locations that are safer for their circumstances. Some are combining the powers of technology and various delivery systems to help kids have a special VBS experience at home.
Let us all commit, on this unique day of prayer, to bring this ministry before God. May He guide churches as they consider how to reach kids and their families. May He give leaders the courage to focus on the “why” of VBS in order to determine their best “how.”
John F. Kennedy is quoted as saying, “When written in Chinese the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters—one represents danger and the other represents opportunity.” A variety of fears may be facing our churches, but the biggest danger is missing the opportunity to reach families who may be looking for answers for the very first time. We know the answers are found in God’s Word and in a relationship with His Son, Jesus. Join us in praying that churches will rise to the challenge of this crisis to embrace the opportunity of sharing the love of Jesus with their communities. His love IS our rock solid foundation.
