Everyone needs to experience VBS
Many churches in the area have held their Vacation Bible School and others have scheduled them for the next several weeks. Kids love to go to VBS and they have a lot of fun. They leave knowing so much more.
I have been a VBS teacher and volunteer. You experience the fun and see the fruits of your labor.
We’ve published some photos from the Holly Springs First Baptist Church VBS and I recently took photos at New Community Church’s VBS at the Eddie Lee Smith Multi- Purpose Center. There were at least 60 kids attending that Friday night. The kids were divided into different age groups and learned about God’s love and grace. They also learned about faith and believing in God’s word. It brought back memories of when I first attended Vacation Bible School for the first time.
My sister, Mary Ellen, came to me with an idea one summer. She was 18 and I was 21 years old. She told me she wanted to invite kids of all ages to our church on a Saturday for hot dogs, games, and music. It wasn’t VBS but we knew kids would have fun and learn about the Lord. She asked our pastor, Brother Tom Phillips, and he thought it was a great idea.
We started planning, praying, and making a list and thinking about who could perform. Since we were using our money toward the event, we decided hot dogs, chips, a treat, and a drink would be all we could afford. We were hoping for at least 50 or more would come. My sister contacted Joey Holder, a praise and worship leader to perform. He had presented programs at several local churches and we knew him as a friend. Holder has also written and recorded several worship songs known worldwide today. One of my favorites is “Unto the King.”
After work, we planned and prepared so everyone would have fun. Even though it took some time and commitment, we knew it was a good idea and it came together nicely. It was a fun-filled day for all.
My sister had a lot of good ideas. She wrote Christian songs, and we performed at local churches and venues throughout northwest Alabama and middle Tennessee in those days. We recorded her songs in a local studio and sold the cassette tapes to help cover the travel cost when singing around the area. We sang for about 2-3 years, and then she met the love of her life, Mike Wallace. She married and moved to Germany. Mike was an officer in the Army. Mike and Mary Ellen have continued to reach out to children, and that Saturday is where it all began. She and her husband are presently living in Mexico City, and they are missionaries.
Joey Holder continued to reach out with his music. He was an awesome piano player, worship leader and gifted songwriter. His worship songs have been sung worldwide in many different languages. Two of his best-known songs are “Blessed Jesus” and my favorite, “Unto the King.” He suffered the last years of his life with an illness and bravely fought it, never giving up until the One he wrote so much about said it was time. He passed away at the age of 51.
“Unto The King”
Now unto the King Eternal
Unto the King Immortal
Unto the King Invisible
The only wise God
The only wise God
Unto the King be honor and glory
Unto the King forever
Unto the King be honor and glory
Forever and forever
Amen
Amen