VBS Was Amazing!
*Names marked with an asterisk have been changed for safety purposes.
Our Galilean church partners just completed 4 weeks of VBS! In the villages of Northern Israel, Vacation Bible School is one of CHLF’s most impactful outreach programs. Each church welcomes over 100 children, most of whom don’t come from believing families. These churches only have about 30-50 members, which means that VBS is a huge undertaking! Over the years, their reputation for putting on exceptional summer events for children has spread far and wide, drawing in people who would otherwise not walk through the doors of a Christian church.
Here are some wonderful testimonies from the VBS in each village! Click on the name of each one to watch highlight videos too!
From our team at the church in Beine:
Among the children attending the VBS was a young Muslim girl. She came to the special gathering along with her mother, and it was a true blessing to see how deeply she had engaged with the program. She had memorized all the Bible verses we taught throughout the week and sang the worship songs with a radiant smile on her face. Standing nearby, her mother watched her sing and play alongside the other children with a look of pure joy and happiness.
Throughout the VBS, the Lord was at work not only in the lives of the young children, but also deep within the hearts of the volunteers who served, most of whom are teenagers. In fact, this was the very first year we didn't need outside help from other churches. In the past, we often struggled with a shortage of leaders, but this year we had enough of our own young people to run all the activities. The most beautiful part is that these volunteers were once VBS children themselves. They grew up in the ministry, loved it, and as soon as they were old enough, they eagerly stepped up to serve. It is such a blessing to see the fruit of VBS being poured right back into VBS.
From our team at the church in Cana:
On Sunday, a mother came to church and shared a moving story about her young son and daughter, both of whom had attended our VBS.
She had mentioned to them earlier that they were going to visit their grandmother, and as the children were preparing to go, she overheard a quiet conversation between them. The little boy thoughtfully said that their grandma was getting old and that she might die soon. His sister agreed, but then gently reminded him of what they had been taught during the week: "It’s true, but remember what we learned at VBS? When believers close their eyes here on earth, they open them in heaven, which is so much better for her. Don't you remember the verse we learned? 'For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.'"
The mother shared how deeply touched and impressed she was to see how her children had not only remembered the Bible verse, but had truly taken those words to heart, resting in a simple, genuine faith.
Another story from one of the pastors in Cana:
During VBS, *Samer, a member of our church, came to me and said, "Look at this picture from 10 years ago." In the photo, he was kneeling beside a little girl named *Reem, who was a participant in VBS at the time. Then he pointed to her standing among the children as one of this year's counselors, now 16 years old, and said, "It's amazing how quickly they grow up."
As I looked at Reem, along with the other counselors and children, my heart was filled with joy. Before me was the fruit of God's work through our church: raising generations of children and young people who love the Lord and are eager to serve Him. I turned to Samer and said, "Let's take another picture just like it today." We called Reem over, and together they knelt in the very same spot where the original photo had been taken 10 years earlier.
I give thanks and praise to the Lord for all that He is doing in our church. My prayer is that He will continue to guard the hearts of these young people, keep them steadfast in His love, and use them to impact the generations that follow.
From our team at the church in Eilabun:
On the final day, the church hosted a special closing event, opening its doors to the parents of all attending children. The gathering was a joyful reflection of the week’s journey. The children performed songs, shared hand-crafted projects, and presented a play illustrating the biblical truths they had learned throughout the week. The atmosphere was deeply reverent and tangible with the presence of God, leaving a profound impression on the families present. Following the activities, Hanna shared a brief yet powerful message clearly presenting the Gospel to the gathered parents, the majority of whom were non-believers.
The impact of the Gospel message and the children’s ministry resonated immediately following the service. A mother approached us in tears to express her heartfelt gratitude for the VBS, as the Lord had deeply touched her heart during the program. As we spoke with her further about the love of Jesus, she was visibly moved, and we set a time for a follow-up visit to continue our conversation. Shortly after, a second mother texted us, asking us to visit her in her home. Upon visiting her, we had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with her, and overcome with emotion, she made a personal decision to follow the Lord right in her home. A third mother called asking for a home visit as well, and plans have been made to meet with her later this week to share more about Christ.
The impact of the week has extended far beyond a one-time event. Numerous parents have approached us asking about ongoing Sunday School services, expressing a strong desire for their children to continue learning about Jesus on a regular basis. The Lord is opening doors for ministry in Eilabun in a marvelous way, demonstrating His heart for these families and bringing glory to His name.
*Fadi, one of the counselors, gave this testimony: “When I was little, I was just like these children. I couldn't wait for VBS to come each year so I could play games and hear about Jesus. Now that I’ve grown up, I have the privilege of serving as a counselor. The very message of God's love that was planted in my heart at such a young age is the message I now want to share with everyone.”
Children are the future living church of the Holy Land. Creating opportunities for them to connect with God and His people is at the center of our mission, because we know that the years to come will be defined by their generation. We pray that through VBS, children who already follow Jesus will be strengthened in their faith, and children who just heard the Gospel for the first time will be moved to follow Jesus as well. Like Fadi in Eilabun and Reem in Cana, we pray that they will remember the people, songs, scriptures, and lessons that taught them about the immense love and grace of God. As they grow and one day reach adulthood, may they be powerful instruments of the peace of Christ in their land.
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