These statements are but encouraging replies from Lifers when they heard about the Vacation Bible School. Thank God for His faithfulness to bring in more than 80 staff to reach out to an average of 215 children that came into the gates of Life B-P Church daily from 28 to 30 May 2008. We thank God for this church-wide effort to reach out to children with the Good News of salvation. Everyone has a common goal and purpose. It was heartening that there was unity of spirit in bringing in the sheaves for the Lord. The staff put in their utmost best with conscientiousness and diligence. Although there were hiccups along the way, that did not distract them from the objective of letting the children know that Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

There is follow up work to be done for the children and the parents. Some children have indicated they have received Christ. Others have indicated they wish to know more about Christ. Therefore, the follow up with these children and God willing, with their parents has to be done.

We have appended some testimonies of those who served in VBS. We hope they will encourage you to commit yourself to serve God in VBS 2009 and pray for the children who have attended the VBS.

Please visit www.lifebpc.com/vbs/photos.htm to view the photos. —Quek Keng Khwang

It has been four years since I last served in VBS. So it was with much apprehension that I signed up as helper this year, as I didn’t know what to expect. Since my 3 children are attending VBS, that leaves me child free! I had no excuse not to serve. I was assigned to serve in teaching and song leading.

I was more concerned with song leading as I have never done it with 80 children. So it was with much fear and trembling that I took on the task. But the Lord showed me that if I trust Him, my weakness will be made strong. All praise to God that the 3 days of singspiration went well. The children were very enthusiastic and I did not have any stage fright. In fact, I was beginning to enjoy every moment of the song leading session. I am grateful to one sister who patiently gave me tips to improve my song leading. I thank God for granting me the right spirit in learning from her.

I doubled up as an assistant teacher and the Lord taught me patience in managing the children in my class. It was difficult not to grumble especially when I have to bring the same child out for toilet break, for cleaning up etc. every 10 or 15 minutes. But God also showed me that I need to show Christian forbearance, even though it did disrupt the programme in class.

Lastly, I enjoyed the fellowship with the other brethren while serving. I must thank God for a very enriching learning experience in this VBS.

The Juniors department witnessed a bigger intake of children compared to previous years, so much so that we had to open a new class! We had 89 children who registered for VBS, a leap from last year’s 59. Thank God for giving us the increase!

With a larger enrolment, it also meant that we needed more teachers and assistant teachers to run the VBS program. We were at one point of time shorthanded, but the Lord provided! He knew all our needs. He moved the hearts of some sisters who agreed to take on additional roles besides having to teach. They were constrained by the love of Christ. They desired that VBS should run smoothly. Praise God for their faithful and joyful service to Him!

As for me, I really thank God for granting me this opportunity to be of use to Him. Throughout the entire VBS, I had observed, learned and gained much from people whom I worked with. I greatly appreciate the forthcoming feedback given by our teachers throughout the course of VBS. Several suggestions produced immediate results after we had implemented them! In fact, the teachers had shown themselves to be both diligent and zealous in their work with the children. Everyone who was involved in VBS took their work seriously. I enjoyed the camaraderie shared among brethren in Christ as we served the Lord together. I recalled the afternoons that we spent packing the resource materials for the next day’s programme and catching up with one another. It was truly a time of sweet fellowship! I feel that VBS is not only an avenue to serve God, but it also brings God’s people closer together in fellowship through service to God.

To conclude, I earnestly seek your prayer for the children who attended the VBS. May the gospel seed abide in their hearts, and in His own good timing, bring forth good fruits. All glory and praise to Him who reigns above.

Please let me share my testimony as a witness to God’s mighty love and power when I served as a co-teacher in the Juniors section during VBS 2008 on 3 accounts.

a. Sowing the gospel seed in the children

God sent more than 200 children to the VBS. Marvellously, He held back the rain for the 3 days. VBS was a good platform for those who had heard the gospel in order to reinforce the importance of salvation in them. For children who have not received Christ, I was very glad that the emphasis of VBS was "gospel-focused" (allocating time each day for the Wordless Book) instead of "activity-focused" (over-emphasis on outdoor games). This would enable the gospel of salvation to be rooted in the children’s hearts.

b. Co-labouring with brethren-in-Christ

Quite a number of the VBS staff had to double-up or "triple-up" in various roles. It may seem very hectic as we’re on our feet almost all the time, but everyone served cheerfully and fellow co-workers would just chip in when short of manpower or when "emergencies" cropped up. One girl accidentally wetted her T-shirt and one sister was willing to contribute her daughter’s clean T-shirt to her.

We were also all very well-fed by the F&B team and despite all the running around. The Logistics team was on their toes in helping in all matters for example, replenishing stationery/food, cleaning/mopping up spilt food or drinks. It was spiritually rewarding and edifying to work together and to see so many teens and adults using their spiritual gifts serving cheerfully, selflessly and ungrudgingly.

c. Personal account

d. Conclusion

In all, I see God’s might and power at work throughout the entire VBS and may the gospel seed grow on good soil in the children’s hearts, and may the Lord continue to bless the VBS ministry and bring forth many to serve. Amen.

When I was first approached to serve as the logistics IC for VBS, I wasn’t so sure I was up to the task and it was only after some prayer that I agreed to serve. I was pretty afraid at first that nothing would go according to plan, but I thank God for the people that He sent to help me with the planning and also the running on the logistics side of the VBS.

It actually turned out to be quite fun, in that I was able to serve with fellow brethren in Christ. Although not everything went according to plan, I believe that the Lord has accomplished what He has willed in His sovereignty. And one verse that admonished me was Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

I would encourage brethren who are looking for an area to serve to consider serving at the VBS for a start. As Matthew 25:23 says, "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou in to the joy of the lord." So has the Lord promised, those who are faithful in little things, likewise the Lord will entrust them with even bigger things. Thank God for the opportunity to serve!

I was a little apprehensive volunteering for VBS, since I had not participated in it before, and had no experience working with children whatsoever. However, God in His providence and timing had delayed the start date of my job, and given the need for helpers I signed up as an assistant teacher for VBS.

Not knowing what to expect, it was definitely an eye-opening experience. The children with their youthful exuberance participated in the activities wholeheartedly, and their plaintive enthusiasm in worship led me to wonder how many of us have such childlike faith in our worship of our Lord and King. The stories told for the 3 days allowed for opportunities to share the gospel with the children through accounts of the healing of the paralysed man, Peter’s denial of Jesus and the parable of the rich and poor men.

The one thing which struck me most after VBS was how important it was to ensure that children hear the Good News early, and completely, such that they are brought up in the knowledge of the Word, and God willing, come to salvation. As stated in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Sharing the gospel with the children was like working with a clean slate, without the settled notions which adults would have – yet the window of opportunity is short and fleeting. I can only pray that the children will fully acknowledge God as what they sung: "the Lord of you and me". Thank God for VBS!

"Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence." (Matthew 19:13-15)

Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we welcomed more than 140 Primary 1 - 3 children to Life BP Church every morning on 28-30 May 2008. These came mostly from Life BP Church, other churches, and the Student Care Centres.

In 3 busy mornings, the children had the opportunity to hear the gospel and to come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Almost every child shared a quiet moment with a teacher or counsellor to receive individually the Word of salvation. We pray that the gospel seed sown in their hearts will grow and will bring forth good fruit aplenty as the Lord wills. The children also participated enthusiastically in the songs, stories, activities and games which had been planned for them.

We praise God that He is the Lord of the sunshine and the rain, and He gave us good weather throughout VBS. The rain fell only after the children had left for home each day. We thank God for His care and protection of His children and there were no serious illness or injuries during transport and the time in church.

Many hands were at work to ensure the smooth running of VBS. The teachers and helpers for the 14 classes were faithful in serving the Lord, and showed their dedication by coming down early each morning and staying back after dismissal to discuss the day’s happenings. It was a truly humbling experience to see God make everything beautiful in His time! All praise and glory be to God.

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1) VBS Thanksgiving Buffet lunch TODAY for teachers, helpers @ 12.30pm, outside Chinese Service Hall.

2) Campers are to assemble at Life BP Church tomorrow latest by 6.30 am. All Group I/Cs and 2I/Cs must meet by 6.15 am. Please remember to bring along your passport.

3) Pastoral Help: Members who need pastoral help during the church camp week (9-13 June) may contact Rev Peter Chua at 98387010.

4) A DVD Screening. Beyond the Next Mountain. Sat, 21 June 08, 7-9pm. Sanctuary. In conjunction with the Missionary Fellowship’s 18th Thanksgiving Anniversary. Please invite your friends to come.

5) Gospel Sunday: Invite your friends and loved ones to the Gospel Sunday on 22 Jun 08 (8 am and 10:45 am). Please pray for Prof William Harding (English) and Rev Tang Wai Kay (Mandarin with Cantonese interpretation) who will speak on "Heaven Our Eternal Home."

6) ASM Module. Personal Care Ministry on Encouragement, Exhortation and Transformation. Mon-Tue, Jun 30-Jul 1 at Life BP Church, 9A, Gilstead Road, 9.30am to 5pm. All welcome, please register with Rev. Goh Seng Fong at gohsengfong@hotmail.com. (Cost: $20 per person for material and lunch).

7) Wednesday Night Bible Class commencing 2 Jul 08 (9 weeks). Old Testament Survey (Part 1) by Rev Charles Seet. 7:30 to 9:30 pm at the Chinese Service Hall. Kindly drop registration forms into the box at the reception counter.

8) Our condolences to Chan Pui Meng and family on the homegoing of her mother, Yick Chew Heng, 84 years, on 2 Jun 08.

Preaching appt: Rev Seet at Kebaktian Indonesia, 4 pm.

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A. Spiritual Formation - Dynamics, foundations, principles and stages of Spiritual growth. 14 Monday nights beginning July 7. Teacher-facilitator: Rev Goh Seng Fong. Registration fees: $20.

B. Growing through the Study of the Epistle to the Philippians - Joy in trials. 14 Thursday nights beginning July 10. Teacher-facilitator: Rev Yap Beng Shin. Registration fees: $20.

All welcome at Life BP Church, 9A, Gilstead Road (7.30pm to 9.30pm). Register at johnching.asm@gmail.com.