Summer Bible classes bring in youngsters

Vacation study sessions
help unchurched kids
learn about God, faith

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
On a typical Sunday, from 10 to 25 children attend Sunday school at First UMC, Weslaco.
But during the week of Vacation Bible School June 11-15, the numbers hit close to 100—the most the church
facility can handle.
Summer Bible studies almost always result in a larger Sunday attendance the following week, when church members stage a “big show” and “celebration” with a potluck lunch, said Rosemarie Ellis, who ran Weslaco’s VBS this year.
“We have visitors come the Sunday following our VBS,” Ellis said. “After that Sunday, only a few come back regularly, but I can name a few families that have joined our church after a period of time.”
First UMC, Weslaco, is one of many Southwest Texas congregations offering summer Bible school. Sessions are scheduled from June through August.
Many congregations report increased numbers in the children’s ministry departments following VBS programs. The most significant increases are usually seen in churches with smaller overall attendance. They often report two to three times as many children in church the Sunday after VBS.
Still, leaders say, increased attendance isn’t the reason for offering VBS.
“It is our hope that the children will learn about who God is, what he expects of them and how to share the love of Christ with others,” Ellis said. “At our VBS, every child was treated as a child of God. Each felt love and the contagious joy of being with other Christians.”
At First UMC, Sonora, administrator Linda Fisher said of students who attended VBS June 18-22, “It may be their only exposure to Christ.

“We get children who aren’t going to get exposure any other way or who may be exposed but who don’t have a regular church home. We try to follow up with those kids.”
Some parents enroll their children in VBS for biblical teaching, said Karlane Lane, who helped with VBS at St. Peter’s UMC, Austin. Some like the free baby-sitting.
But whatever the parental reasons, she added, the children benefit.
“(VBS) brings children to the church—children who don’t normally go,” Lane said. “It gives children a chance to learn about the Bible even more, and at the same time, they have fun. It’s a fun way of learning the Bible.”
Attendance increased just about every night, Lane added, as children brought their friends. The highest attendance was 130—which included adult Bible studies, too.
That number was a significant improvement from last year’s 80, Lane said.
At VBS children typically learn songs, create crafts, listen to Bible teaching and interact with one another, said Joey Glowka, who helped with the VBS at Oak Island UMC, San Antonio, June 10-14.
During their week, the children collected $220.04 for the Child Life Program at Methodist Hospital. That effort provides crafts and activities for hospitalized children.
“(VBS) teaches the unchurched that there is a higher being and that they need to respect and learn more about God,” Glowka said. “And then it teaches those who don’t have a lot of opportunity in our area for companionship how
to be with other children.”
Joyce Brown, Christian education coordinator for St. Peter’s UMC, Austin, said, “For everyone, it teaches them more about God and God’s love and how we need to depend on him.”
Ellis said First UMC, Weslaco, gets the entire church involved with VBS. That involvement fosters a unity among members.
“I’d say one of the biggest blessings to come out of doing VBS is the relationships of those serving being strengthened,” she said. “Every person, however young or old, is able to participate in this ministry.
“Friendships are created and strengthened. Spiritual gifts are realized and revealed. There becomes a renewed interest in Bible study and serving others. Everyone works for one common goal: Victory in Christ for all.”
The challenge, Ellis added, comes in keeping up the spiritual momentum of VBS throughout the summer.
Regardless of whether children return to the churches where they attended VBS, Glowka said she believes churches should still offer the week of Bible teaching.
“So many of (the students) don’t stick,” she said. “But I feel that if they get that knowledge of God at least once a year, maybe that will help.”