Our Vacation Bible School has come to an end and it was, in my opinion, a smashing success. The decorations were amazing, the organization was on point, the teachers were devoted, and the attendance was great. In terms of the people responsible for this week’s great success, there are too many names to mention and I would hate to leave anyone out. I will single out the leaders, and there’s nothing wrong with that: Leaders bear the responsibility of success or failure, and they deserve praise when events are a success. As your preacher, it’s my job to stand in the pulpit, proverbial or otherwise, and “give honor to whom honor is due” (Romans 13:7).
It starts at the top with the shepherds who oversee our congregation: They set the tone by projecting confidence and trust in everyone who works under them, and they provide nothing but positive feedback, good advice, and encouragement along the way. Dustin Taylor, who is the coordinating deacon over children’s education answers directly to our elders and handles his work with grace and skill. Shawn Mobley, our youth minister, wore multiple hats in the weeks leading up to the event (organizer, planner, construction worker, etc) and during VBS itself he could often be seen…walking very briskly from one task to the next. That’s the sign of a hard worker in the kingdom; they walk briskly everywhere they go. He even found time to perform a nightly stage play with David Reese. And speaking of, aren’t we thankful to have the Reese family with us at North Heights? They’ve jumped head-first into kingdom work here and have already made our congregation that much more Christ-like by their readiness to serve. Alex Mills is the greatest riler-upper of children the world has ever seen. He could be a super villain. Brandi Moody and Lauren Williams can not be praised enough for the sheer amount of time they put into decorating our building, not just for VBS but basically every other event we have. It’s staggering.
In addition are all the teachers, helpers, and other workers (of which there are too many to name, but God knows you all) that volunteered time and energy, and poured out their love for Jesus, His kingdom, and this congregation, into every stained glass window, every painted-on brick pattern, every silly costume, every fun skit, every heartily-sung song, and every smile they gave to every child who came through the drawbridge into our building.
You are all amazing and you are all loved.
Here’s to next year, and to the plans that will soon begin to improve on what was done in 2021, to the new ideas that can only better an already great event, and to whatever ridiculous hat and fake beard we’ll make Luke Williams wear in 2022.
I can’t wait.
~ Matthew