By collecting 550 food items during Vacation Bible School, Mt. Zion Church of God helped a local food pantry provide meals for more than 60 families.

By Carl Stagner | Read Time: 3 minutes

Vacation Bible School. Love it or hate it, you surely recognize the annual potential to bless some child with a clearer picture of Jesus’ love through fun, food, and music. Volunteers may find themselves stressed at the sensory overload when dozens (or hundreds!) of kids come running through the doors of the sanctuary, but many congregations return to this classic summertime outreach year after year—especially encouraged when children choose Jesus. But when VBS can be something more than controlled chaos—perhaps functioning as an effective service project—that’s when everybody can celebrate the Lord’s love for the rowdiest of kids.

Consider Mt. Zion Church of God in Columbia, Kentucky. While VBS isn’t new to most, adding a missional component might be new to some. Last year at Mt. Zion Church of God, leadership came up with a plan to support their local food pantry. Challenging the students to bring in nonperishable food items, the church was ultimately able to donate about 300 items.

“This year, we also did the same challenge with our kids,” Amanda Eldridge explains. Amanda, whose husband Jake serves as the church’s pastor, offers a look back on how they took VBS to the next level up—down to the level of a servant. And, they made it fun.

“This year, we did a competition between boys and girls, and whoever brought in the most, our Pastor Jake Eldridge or our VBS coordinator would be slimed. We outdid ourselves with an amazing 550 items! Our VBS theme was ‘Being on God’s Team.’ So both our pastor and VBS coordinator took one for the team and were slimed! The Knifley Food Bank was able to provide food for over 60 families because of our efforts!”

Without even counting the effect of serving the food pantry, VBS is worth the effort, according to Amanda.

“We conduct a VBS every year because we want to focus on community outreach and reaching families,” she explains. “We want to share Jesus with our community and, although it can be a tiring week, it is a good week.”

This year’s VBS was June 7–10. The event often falls on different dates from year to year, but almost always in the month of June. The theme, “Being on God’s Team,” helped students live out important teachings from the Bible.

“We focused each night that, to be on God’s team,” Amanda explains, “people do not quit on God, they work together, and, through Jesus, they can change the world.”

Remembering this year’s especially successful VBS—in music, games, snacks, and community service—Amanda Eldridge says the main thing that resonates is the joy.

“The most memorable moment is the excitement that it brings every year, not just for the kids but the adults, as well,” she concludes.