The Unsung Heroes of Vacation Bible School
Everyone who volunteers to put on a successful VBS is critically important and deserves a round of applause. Churches simply could not accomplish the Great Commission without faithful members who sacrifice their time, energy and resources to demonstrate God’s love for mankind. VBS roles vary greatly, and it is easy to recognize and admire the high-profile positions that make huge impacts over the course of Vacation Bible School. Teachers, leaders, musicians, singers, guides, helpers, pastors, registrars and other high visibility volunteers receive much due credit for their services that contribute to a successful VBS.
But several volunteer roles do not often receive their due credit because their work happens behind the scenes or at a different time than the week of VBS. We will call these the Unsung Heroes of VBS:
- Directors
No sooner is VBS over than the director is beginning to plan next year’s VBS. The preparation and organization required to lead VBS well takes a lot of time. Directors make plans, organize schedules, recruit volunteers, create budgets and keep the church informed, all of which must take place long before VBS week arrives. When something goes wrong at VBS, it is usually the director who works hard behind the scenes to solve the problem. Directors know they will likely not see the limelight, and they are okay with that. If students’ lives are impacted with the gospel, they will be more than satisfied.
- Decorators
When students arrive at VBS and feel as though they are walking into a different place, the decorator has accomplished the job. Normal church hallways become corridors that transport children back to Bible times. This immersive experience is the goal of every VBS decorator, and it all must be done before VBS begins, which means the decorators rarely receive the spotlight of gratitude.
- Food Preparers
Whoever is in charge of preparing snacks for VBS attendees and meals for VBS volunteers deserves much credit for a successful VBS. The cook plans for snacks and meals long before VBS opening night and spends countless hours in preparation. Keeping hunger satisfied might not be a high priority to many people when considering a successful VBS, but if a full tummy can help a child focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is worth every effort of food preparers.
- Security
Who monitors the coming and going of people at the building while students and teachers happily engage in VBS activities? Security volunteers work behind the scenes to make sure everyone stays safe while the children draw close to God. Most people who work security at VBS prefer to stay behind the scenes, and when something abrupt happens, the security volunteers usually handle the issue without too much commotion. They are behind the scenes, and they like it that way, but they are heroes, nonetheless.
- Custodians
When children and parents arrive to VBS and walk into a clean building with clean bathrooms, floors, tables and chairs, it is the custodian who should be thanked. Cleaning volunteers arrive to the church building before everyone else does, and they are the last to leave at night. They have the challenging job of cleaning up spills, vacuuming floors, rearranging furniture, restocking bathroom supplies, wiping down the countertops, washing fingerprints off the windows and taking out the trash at the end of each day of VBS. Their job is challenging, since the probability of big messes at VBS is very high. But when families know they will be learning about God in clean spaces, they will find it much easier to concentrate on spiritual truths found in God’s Word.
https://bogardpress.org/vbs-2024-shine-certificate-of-appreciation.html
A church that has all the volunteers needed to host a successful VBS is richly blessed by God. Everyone who volunteers deserves encouragement and thanks, especially those who work behind the scenes. If you see them serving, be sure to thank them for their sacrifice. Also, make sure to publicly express appreciation for all VBS volunteers by presenting them certificates of appreciation.
Who else would you say is an unsung hero of VBS?
Mark Clements
Editor-in-Chief
Bogard Press