Jym Shorts - July 23, 2026

If you’re like me, you grew up attending a VBS program every summer as a child.  I grew up in the small Swiss Mennonite community of Berne, IN.  My VBS was every morning for two weeks, but my parents grew up having VBS for six weeks!  I remember the Bible stories having actors in special costumes and the elaborate crafts and snacks. I’m even able to still sing the special Vacation Bible School song we sang every morning.  

“We love our summer Bible school with all its work and play, for here we learn to know God’s Word which tells the living way.  Dear Bible school, our summer Bible school, we’ll come each day to work and play at our summer Bible school.”

Even though times have changed, the message of the gospel hasn’t.  

Last week, LifePoint had the privilege to bless our children and the children of the community by teaching them about the nature of God.  The five points we focused on were:

God is our creator, God knows everything, God is our safe place, God is love, God is forever

As the children traveled to the stations of Bible story, games, crafts, snacks, and scripture study, these points were reinforced.  We also reiterated them during our two large group times in the worship center.  By the end of the evening, it was easy for the kids to remember what they learned about God.  

For our offering project, we partnered with LP missionaries Kyongmin and Eunjin in the country of Georgia who are raising money to purchase a building to use as a library.  The library will have Bibles and Christian literature, which they’ll use while teaching English.  The young people in their area are especially open to hearing more about Christianity.  The children brought in $6,430.38!  So much of that money the kids themselves earned by making and selling things, doing chores, having lemonade stands, as well as a variety of other projects. Their hearts for giving were motivating.  

If you are a stats person, you’ll be interested in the numbers below.  

  • 200 children ages 3 through 5th grade
  • 80 of them do not attend LifePoint
  • 22 churches represented (two were from the Mormon Church)
  • 8 children do not attend any church
  • 27 children said they were ready to accept Jesus as their Savior
  • Just over 100 volunteers
  • Over 1,200 snacks prepared  

I reminded the volunteers at the training meeting that even though the children may not communicate with us how VBS has helped them come to know God or grow closer to Him, they are making an eternal investment in the lives of the children.  This is the biggest outreach our church does and it’s for children! What an honor and blessing it is when God allows us to minister to young people when their hearts and minds are so open to learning.  

To quote the late D.L. Moody, “If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God.” Lord willing, we’ll do this all again in 2027.  You can start thinking now about what children you know who need to hear about Jesus and how God could use you to be involved.  

Partnering with you to instill Biblical truths,  

Mary Veal, children’s director

Mary Veal
Director for Children's Ministry