By Pastor Mark Hopper

We recently concluded a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School at our church. Over 200 children attended and over 100 volunteers served on the leadership team.

The kids really enjoy VBS.  There was a lot of great music with the children singing songs and learning hand motions that go with each song.

They love making different crafts that they get to take home.  They cut and paste, color and decorate a variety of projects during the week.

Recreation is a lot of fun too.  The favorite day of the week is “Wet & Wild Wednesday”.  We were careful to conserve water this year, but the students still managed to get pretty wet in the relays and other water games.

Another important part of VBS is the snacks.  A whole team of volunteers work hard all week to provide healthy, tasty treats to feed these active young people.

The children also hear stories from the Bible and memorize Bible verses.  The kids love learning lessons from the Bible that relate to their daily lives.

The purpose of Vacation Bible School is to help children learn more about God and help them grow in their spiritual lives.

But, there is an unexpected benefit from VBS.  Not only do the children learn and grow, but the volunteers who lead the program do too!

And, many of the volunteers make new friends as they serve together.  Every year, I see new friendships formed, especially among the women who serve on the leadership team.

Our church is not large by California standards.  We have a several hundred people who come each week.  But, because we have two services each Sunday, many people never meet.

But, when you serve as a volunteer every day for a week at VBS, you meet people that you never see on Sunday morning.  And, as you serve together, you get to know others better. This is true at work and school, too.

I know people at our church who met as volunteers at Vacation Bible School and who have become long time friends.

Let me encourage you to find a place to serve.  It could be at your church, local school, or the YMCA.  If you invest your time in serving others, I’m sure you will find some new friends along the way!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd.  Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.  For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit Efreedb.org.