What’s All the VBS Excitement About?
Krista Noyes
I never know what to expect as I begin to plan VBS, but I know God has a plan. So, I start with my Kids Camp VBS prayer team asking them to pray for every part of Kids Camp. It’s easy to plan the fun at Vacation Bible School, but we want fun with a purpose. We want everything we do to point kids in the direction of Jesus. We want the Holy Spirit to be present. Let me share some “God moments” from our 2025 Kids Camp VBS volunteers:
“Being paired up with the volunteers I was with was wonderful. I got to know everyone on a deeper level and learn their testimonies.”
“I think every year that I do this, I realize how much Jesus moves even through children, and I always love this time of year.”
“I just think this is always a great time, and I look forward to next year. I just want to say thanks for all the work you put into VBS. I know it’s a lot, but it’s genuinely such an amazing time, and I look forward to summer for this reason. I feel like sometimes I get more out of it than the kids.”
“A couple of the kids could relate having courage to the day’s Bible story and how it affects their lives. They got it!! One boy would always pray, and it just showed his love for Jesus.”
“This is so much better than the other VBS I went to this morning.”
“It was just awesome seeing so many kids having fun. I was happy to see volunteers of all ages. I’ll be back next year.”
“Two of the quietest of our group - who weren’t well ‘connected’ to anyone else in the group - began opening up, sharing, talking to the other kids and leaders. They were both so proud of what they accomplished in our sessions!”
“Having kids of varied abilities come together and feel a part of something. There was a joy within them that they too matter.”
“The children were enjoying a snack, taking bathroom breaks, and trying to tell me the memory verse. When the group settled down, I asked ‘Johnny’ if he wanted to do the memory verse with me, fully expecting him only to participate using the sign language motions and staying non-verbal. However, as I began leading him through the first phrase, he began to quietly verbalize the words. That amazing, young man said almost every word of the entire verse! His grandmother’s jaw just dropped. She was speechless. As I praised ‘Johnny’ for his triumph, his grandmother said to me, “ That might be the most words I have ever heard him say.”
“I was a floater and sat with a small group during singing on Tuesday, and there was one little boy who was SO excited to share his Bible verse. I encouraged him to wait until after the singing time, and that his teacher would love to hear it. After singing, I said, Well, can I hear the verse too - and he said it perfectly. I will remember that moment forever. What a beautiful way - we should all be excited about knowing God’s word.”
“I would just say that the worship times were holy for me… often brought tears to my eyes as we worshipped together without abandon...the Holy Spirit was so present!!!”
“This year was the best ever that I have volunteered. I think at least half of the kids were not from Hillside. But we could welcome all the kids into our Hillside family of God! It was a great community event and I’m so excited about next year!”
My VBS prayer was that kids and volunteers would experience God in a new way and their faith would grow. God answered that prayer. He was worshipped. He was present. And it was a beautiful thing to be a part of.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it. - Proverbs 22:6