What is your fondest memory of summer break or vacation growing up?
Perhaps, it was learning how to fish with your father or grandfather or roasting s’mores by a campfire under a starry sky. Maybe it was playing Marco Polo in the pool or watching 4th of July fireworks after a full day of parades, backyard BBQ, hot dogs and popsicles. Are these the typical American summer memories?
For me, it was perpetual summer all year round when I lived in the Philippines. And later, when I lived in the southern hemisphere with a completely different education system, summer break came in December with a warm and festive Christmas celebration. During the breaks, there were long road trips to the church plant in the rural countryside, where motion sickness became bearable only when I sang along at the top of my lungs to worship songs played on cassette tapes and CDs, or when I passed out from exhaustion. My sister and I took turns playing Backyard Baseball on our old computer and practicing the piano. And weekends weren’t complete without renting a VHS tape to watch together at home.
In the midst of this nostalgic path down memory lane, I only remember attending a handful of Vacation Bible Schools yet they remain a core part of my memories. I still remember some of the worship songs and the body motions we danced along to, the fun games, and the Memory Verse challenges that delighted my competitive side. There are a few individuals who stand out in those memories: the group leader I was able to confide my fears to and who prayed for me, the worship leader with the contagious smile and energy, and the preacher who had such a gift for capturing our attention with familiar Bible stories.
From 2018 to 2022, I had the privilege of planning and leading VBS at my former church. Of course, there was the stress of pre-VBS planning, the absolute chaos of those three hours each day, and the exhaustion of clean-up afterward. But even now, I can still hear the giggles and laughter, the shrill voices lifting praise songs and Scripture in unison. I can still see the focused faces, heads bowed, and earnest hands clasped in prayer.
Next week, we will be hosting Vacation Bible School here at church, from July 15th to 19th. It will be our first VBS since 2019, before COVID disrupted so much of our rhythm and ministry. While the number of registered children is small and we could certainly use more helping hands, that doesn’t take away the joy of pouring into each child or the anticipation of gospel seeds being planted in young hearts.
In today’s society, people scramble to outdo each other in showcasing the best summer vacation through the lens of social media. Why don’t we come together to humble ourselves before the Lord and to magnify the greatness of our God even in the smallest of things?
But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:16-17 (ESV)
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! Psalm 34:3 (ESV)
Chanhee Shin
July 13, 2025