Every year, our church hosts an extraordinary summer children event called The Holy Land Adventure – Vacation Bible School (VBS). This program is special as children step back in time to an ancient biblical town and experience what it was like to live a Godly life as they interact with ‘real’ bible characters. They participate daily in a memorable Bible-times Marketplace, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, dig into Bible-times snacks, and pay daily visits to a renowned Bible Character. Plus, everyone learns to look for evidence of God all around them through something called GOD SIGHTINGS.
Here is a quick overview of past VBS programs
2016 Holy Land Adventure VBS
EGYPT…Joseph’s
Journey from Prison to Palace
Children experienced Joseph’s incredible faith journey from prison to palace—with Joseph himself! Imagine living and working in a dusty, bustling, noisy city along the Nile in ancient Egypt…hearing the hubbub about what was happening in Pharaoh’s palace…working with people who followed countless gods—and perhaps hearing about someone who follows the one true God. At Egypt, children were immersed in Bible-times culture. They explored what it was like to live in a culture that had never heard of the one true God. They experienced new traditions, tasted new foods, tried new arts and crafts projects, and discovered that God never leaves us alone through life’s trials and triumphs
2014 Holy Land Adventure VBS
WILDERNESS
ESCAPE…where God guides and provides!
Imagine what it was like to leave Egypt in such a miraculous way and then travel in the desert wilderness. God parting a huge sea to allow his people to pass through on dry land! God supplying miraculous food and water with his own hand! And rules for life written by God himself! Moses knew without a doubt that God is trustworthy and faithful. But what about that vast crowd of Israelites Moses was leading? During the program, children became part of the journey as Moses and the Israelites watch God guide and provide. They experienced daily life in the desert and learned straight from Moses, discovering firsthand what it was like to live in the Israelite camp.
2013 Holy Land Adventure VBS
ATHEN…Paul’s
Dangerous Journey to Share the Truth!
Think what it was like for Paul to arrive in the ancient city of Athens. Imagine how Paul felt, walking through those famous streets and seeing one statue after another dedicated to pagan gods.
Paul had dedicated his life to sharing the truth about Jesus. In Berea, Jews from Thessalonica stirred up trouble, so the believers sent Paul to Athens. Alone in this godless city, it would have been so easy for Paul to keep a low profile. But he couldn’t! During Athens VBS, children joined Paul and learnt all about his dangerous journey to share the truth! They were challenged to share their faith in Jesus—just as Paul did.
2012 Holy Land Adventure VBS
BABYLON…Daniel’s
Courage in Captivity
Daniel was way more than the guy who survived a den of hungry lions! Imagine the pressure of learning a new language and culture…and the shock of discovering your best friends have been tossed into a fiery furnace. The realization that it was impossible to describe and interpret the King’s dream. Children visited the Marketplace daily and interacted with Babylonian shopkeepers who had various opinions about Daniel’s God, this gave children the opportunity to defend their faith, in a safe setting. Everything…absolutely everything had the look, feel, and flavors inspired by ancient Babylon.
2011 Holy Land Adventure VBS
HOMETOWN
NAZARETH…where Jesus was a Kid
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED…
What was it like to live in Nazareth? What was Jesus like when he was a kid? Why didn’t people believe that Jesus was God’s Son?
At Hometown Nazareth, children visited Mary and heard her stories of Jesus’ boyhood. Mary lived side by side with many people who didn’t believe that Jesus was the Son of God. As the children heard Mary tell about how she knew that Jesus was God’s Son, they were able to explore how they can stand up for their faith in everyday life regardless of what their peers think. Throughout the week, children entered the bustling Nazarene Marketplace with a few shekels to spend, also visiting the Synagogue School.