My Life With VBS

For as long as I can remember, Vacation Bible School (VBS) has been part of my life. As a child, this was a highlight of summer when children from the community of Floradale gathered at my home church to learn about the Bible, sing songs, and share in activities and games. Fond memories of the VBS Superintendant ringing the bell and all of us going into the sanctuary singing "We're Marching to Zion..." still remain vivid in my mind. Eventually as a teenager I became a VBS helper, then a VBS leader.

In 1991 when I heard that our local Mennonite Conference was sponsoring a new Vacation Bible School troupe to provide VBS ministry in congregations over the summer, I was excited to apply and even more delighted to be chosen to serve! What a perfect summer job for me -leading Vacation Bible School, interacting with a variety of children, and being hosted by so many wonderful congregations.

From Windsor, to Ottawa, to Agape (London), to Hunta, and more, my sense of our Mennonite family and the uniqueness of each community broadened. Being part of the VBS Troupe also meant that I experienced community as a group of young adults served together. When we see each other, some 19 years later, we still laugh as we fondly recall all that the VBS Troupe experience meant to us. It was a summer I will never forget!  

VBS was a 'constant' in my life throughout my young adult university and seminary years, where I was part of many different communities and congregations. I have participated as a leader in Bible School at 15 different congregations over at least 18 years. I cherish these opportunities. Something significant happens in a Bible School setting - the intensive activities and relationship-building provide such a great experience of God's family, the church!

Since 2007 I have been serving on a contract basis as the MCEC Vacation Bible School Troupe Coordinator. Working with the Congregational Ministries Minister, we oversee all aspects of this VBS ministry that is shared with congregations. Each year the troupe members bring their own unique gifts and skills to the group. Each year's VBS curriculum offers a particular part of the biblical story to explore. Recipient congregations provide their own exceptional ways of hosting the VBS program and the troupe. And each year VBS provides me with a sense of hope for the church, as I experience children, youth, young adults, and adults who are excited about faith and the church! Again, I feel it's the perfect job for me. What a blessing it is to be part of a ministry that feels like such a great fit!

Many MCEC young adults have served on the VBS Troupe over the years, often finding their way into leadership positions within the church as pastors, teachers, and church leaders. For some, the VBS Troupe opportunity brought out God-given talents that they hadn't yet articulated. For others, the VBS setting was a place to expand on leadership skills which had already been nurtured. The bringing together of these young people and their unique gifts, along with MCEC and congregational personnel, is the strength of the VBS Troupe program. Leadership cultivation, development and growth emerge on many levels within a nurturing community - the shared community of the troupe, MCEC and the host congregations, with Jesus Christ at the centre.