Some people say I look like my mom. I think that’s pretty true. But I also know I followed in my mom’s footsteps in more ways than just her looks. One particular path I she led me down was children’s ministry song leading. I can remember summer after summer of Vacation Bible School as my mom taught tons of kids the words and motions to those catchy theme songs. When I was 12 or 13, my friend Elizabeth and I took the lead by ourselves as VBS song leaders.
And now, decades since my mom showed me the way, I am the music leader for this week’s VBS at our church. We’re doing Adventures on Promise Island and boy! has it been fun. The songs are wonderfully written—easy to learn and full of worth-while theology and concepts about God. I’m not one for choreography, but the dance moves that come along with the song-leader-position are pretty darn fun as well. The kids are having an absolute BLAST with them.
Today, as we sang an updated version of “Standing on the Promises,” the kids filled the sanctuary with so much sound as they shouted the letters P-R-O-M-I-S-E-S with no help whatsoever. I love their receptiveness and their responsiveness to my leading. Kids are so much fun to work with! (and they make you feel pretty good about doing ridiculous motions on stage.)
I’m thankful for Maria & Malia–two of our teen girls–who have faithfully helped me co-lead the songs each morning.
As we waited for the last groups to arrive for the closing session, I invited the kids to join me “on stage” as we sang Always With Us and they all eagerly ran up beside me! Love their enthusiasm!
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And now for a few other moments from Vacation Bible School
The little ones are focused on their craft-making
And who doesn’t love game time?!
The kids thought this was hysterical–wrapping up the leaders in toilet paper after learning about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
And we can’t forget story time–the keystone f VBS!
