Dear Church Family and Friends,

I love writing a newsletter article the week following Vacation Bible School. You want to know why?
I am glad you asked!
It’s because of the blessing, hope, joy and future that I see in virtually every VBS. And I saw all of these things and more this year. Without question this year’s VBS was one of our best. It wasn’t the best necessarily because we had more children in attendance. We did have good attendance. But it was one of the best for at least three excellent reasons. First ,was the spirit of the workers and the children. There was a great spirit of enthusiasm and participation. This spirit of participation was evident all through the week and even on the Sunday after VBS when more children than ever came to sing the songs with the movements that they had learned during the week. It looked to me like every child from preschool to 6th grade was really into the songs and movements with all their heart, mind, body and spirit. What a joy it was to see.
The second reason I believe this year’s VBS was one of the best was because of the response of the children during the evangelism presentation on Wednesday. We had many children respond to the call to ask Jesus into their hearts as their Lord and Savior. Now I know that several of the younger children did not fully understand why we need to be saved and the issue of sin, the cross and what it means to give your life to Jesus. But it was the positive response to express their love for God and know He loves them that drew them to step out and say yes. We had 11 children that indicated a sincere desire to be baptized because they had prayed to ask Jesus into their hearts. We will be counseling them about baptism and what that means, as well as contacting their parents about their decisions. Two young boys made their commitments in front of the church body on Father’s Day. And I spoke personally with another young boy and his dad on Monday in my office. How exciting it is to see God working so specifically in the lives of these children.
The third reason this year’s VBS was one of the best was the attendance on Family Night. We had more families come for Family Night than I can remember in a long time. And by far the majority of these families were new families to our church. You know what I saw that was so thrilling?! I saw the potential future of our church. I saw many young families from our surrounding community that were in attendance in our church. They all seemed glad and excited to be present. One exciting thing about these new potential families is that they are from the area of the church’s location in East Bakersfield. It is so important for a local church the size of Columbus Street to begin to reach the demographic population which is indigenous to that church’s primary location and target area. This kind of breakthrough to a local community can be the beginning of momentum to new potential growth and health to a local church.
We who are the current membership of Columbus Street have to find intentional ways to reach out to these new families and try to build friendship relationships with them so that we can reach them as well as their children for Christ and His church!
Once again, I want to personally thank each and every one of you who helped with VBS 2010. You were amazing.
And you won’t believe it, but some folks are already thinking about VBS 2011, and…..getting excited!!!
Just one reminder for July. July 4th falls on Sunday this year. We will have regular services that morning followed by an all church barbeque and potluck in the fellowship hall. Everyone is invited to come have a great time of fun, food and fellowship on the Fourth! There will be no evening activities on that day. Have a great safe 4th and make it special by joining us for worship and fellowship.
You are loved indeed,