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FBC Prattville

The signs of summer are just about over. Families are finishing vacations. The pools, lakes and beaches that were packed with water- and sun-lovers are now thinning out. Another sign that the hazy days of summer are passing is the completion of Vacation Bible Schools (VBS). It has been a great summer tradition for decades.

Some of my fondest summertime memories involve VBS. We would study the Bible and learn about missionaries in far-off, exotic places. There would be new songs to sing and new crafts to make to take home to mom. Refreshments consisted of Kool-Aid and two cookies. Family night on Friday was special as we performed something we learned during the week. We would take our parents to our classroom to meet our teachers, see the room decorated and pick up our class work and crafts. Then we would dash to the fellowship hall and finish off the leftover cookies and Kool-Aid. We had so much fun and we learned many things.

Many years have passed since I attended VBS, but the mission and purpose of VBS have remained the same. The promotional themes used during the week are new. Two cookies and Kool-Aid are out. Thematic refreshments are in. Videos and upbeat music with chorography are standard for a successful VBS today. Having fun and learning new things are still very much the centerpieces of a great VBS.

There is something else that has stayed the same for VBS — the sharing of the gospel message about God’s Son. VBS has been a great time to explain the simple ABCs of salvation: you must admit to God you are a sinner; you must believe that Jesus is God’s Son and accept God’s gift of forgiveness from sin; and then you must confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Fifty years ago this summer, my wife became a Christian during VBS. She has never forgotten the wonderful joy she experienced. It’s her favorite summertime memory. Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? It is as easy as ABC. In a prayer to God, admit, believe and confess and you, too, can experience your greatest summertime memory ever.