Children Come to Christ Through VBS

You might have fond childhood memories of learning about God and His Word through Sunday school. Perhaps you sent your kids to Vacation Bible School this past summer. You may not know that Sunday school and VBS programs have proven to be powerful ministries in regions like Asia, too. Through these Christian education programs, GFA workers provide a fun environment for children to learn spiritual lessons. And reaching out to children often opens doors for adults to hear about the love of Jesus, too.

Aalap Sengupta and two other GFA workers traveled to various cities to hold VBS programs and visit Sunday schools. In the first city, they met with Sunday school leaders at the local church to plan a one-day Vacation Bible School program. The program provided food for the children and included a variety of activities, such as group discussions, storytelling and film shows. The children’s engagement and willingness to learn Bible stories and action songs blessed their teachers. And the missionaries gave the children certificates, which excited the kids. By the end of the program, many of the children vowed to regularly attend Sunday school.

The next day, the missionaries visited nearby Sunday schools, where they engaged in prayer and discussion and motivated both teachers and children to be faithful.

Two days later in another city, Aalap’s team visited Sunday schools in the day and conducted a program for children in a leprosy colony in the evening. During this two-hour event, the kids enthusiastically learned Bible stories and songs. They also enjoyed snacks and candy—a rare treat for sure! The children were not the only ones to benefit from this lively program, though: some elderly people attended as well.

Overall, this VBS tour strengthened and encouraged Sunday school programs in their state. Thankfully, such work goes forth not only there but also in many other parts of Asia.

GFA workers hold Vacation Bible Schools every summer. Children who attend Sunday schools and children who have never heard about Jesus attend VBS. As in the events that Aalap’s team conducted, a typical VBS program includes Bible stories, prayer, action songs and food. Children also receive packets including a New Testament, a comic-style booklet of Bible stories, a Bible-verse poster and a tape containing age-appropriate messages and songs. By the end of the event, many of these precious children choose to follow Jesus, and others promise to regularly attend Sunday school.

Sunday schools like the ones Aalap’s team visited are another important way of sharing God’s love with children throughout South Asia. They exist in a variety of forms: they can be taught by Bible college students or pastors, and they can occur in rural areas or slums. Sunday schools offer children a chance to learn about Jesus through songs, memory verses and Bible stories. God has used these programs to raise children into strong believers in Christ, even when their parents don’t believe. Thankfully, children often end up sharing what they learn with their parents.