March On with Vacation Bible School

This year’s Boot Camp Vacation Bible School (VBS) was held from June 3-6 at Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCPC) with over 800 kids, youth volunteers, and adult volunteers participating. For four days, kids explored how God’s Word, prayer, following Christ’s example, and the Holy Spirit arm us to “march on” and “stand firm” in Christ every day. “We are all soldiers and face daily battles in this world, but the victory is already won for us in Christ’s work on the cross,” said Heather Squibb, PCPC VBS Administrator.

The worship and song time focused on hymns illustrating spiritual warfare. Katie Haring and the Brian Piper Band led worship, with motions led by Amela Ericson. Hymns included “Stand Up for Jesus”, “Lean”, and “O Church Arise.” You can check them out on PCPC Kid’s Spotify channel.

During VBS, kids also enjoyed craft time led by Allison Ellis and a team of volunteers. Kids decorated bags, made paratroopers and canteens, and labeled dog tag necklaces. The dog tags were labeled prayer, Bible, and the theme verse Deuteronomy 20:1. When asked about the significance of the dog tags, VBS volunteer and PCPC missionary Kathy Ragan noted their vital role in establishing identity within the U.S. military. “If you’re in battle, your dog tag reminds you to tell others who you are. You don’t go anywhere without your dog tag, so you know who you are in battle.” Similarly, the dog tag crafts will remind kids of their identity in Christ, that we belong to Jesus and have power through prayer and abiding in God’s Word to access the throne of grace. No matter where our children go or what they face, they can know the Lord is with them.

This year’s VBS brought back memories from previous years when Backyard Bible Clubs were the format. From the 1990s up until 2008, PCPC’s VBS was held in homes during various weeks of summer all over Dallas. These 5-day clubs had attendance ranging from 12 to 35 kids per home, aged preschool to 4th grade. God was using PCPC members in cooperation with friends in their community to truly reach neighbors in a fun and meaningful way. PCPC provided the materials, and the volunteers provided their homes and talents and invited the guests. After many years of fruitful Backyard Bible Clubs ministry, PCPC decided to move on campus for the first church-wide VBS in 2008. That year, the theme was VBS Boot Camp, just like it is this year!

We asked a few PCPC members to share their memories about how God was at work during that Backyard Bible Club time prior to 2008. Here’s what they had to say:

“One memory that sticks out is when we had the opportunity to invite a friend who lived down the street and did not know Jesus. As a young child, it was a very tangible way to learn how to evangelize, through the avenue of songs and stories about Jesus! I am so excited to be a part of VBS this year and am bringing my son, niece, and nephew. I am even serving in the Missions Room where I volunteered as a teenager.” – Michelle Castillo (Backyard Bible Club attendee and current VBS parent volunteer)

“Backyard Bible Clubs were very organic and homegrown. It was sweet to invite all our neighbors and families. Many parents who brought their children had never heard the gospel as adults, and therefore their children had never heard the true gospel.” – Renea Conser (hosted Backyard Bible Clubs for three years in the University Park area)

“Backyard Bible Clubs were amazing because all my neighbors were so receptive. They were just excited to have something to do during the summer! My family and I felt like God had us in that neighborhood and at that school for a reason.” – Darian Reichert (hosted Backyard Bible Clubs with Preston Hollow Elementary attendees)

“I found Backyard Bible Clubs to be an incredible way to get to know my neighbors better and to serve them. I also love how hands-on and intentional it required my own children (and me) to be with running everything ourselves. I loved the curriculum too.” – Carri Case (hosted Backyard Bible Clubs for three years in the East University Park area)

These were just a few examples of how VBS truly is a multigenerational way to spread the gospel. We hope these memories encourage you to continue marching on and spreading the love of Jesus, whether on campus at PCPC or in your homes, workplaces, and communities!