Power In Action
This was the theme for this year’s Holiday Bible Club, held each morning from 6th to 9th April. On the Monday morning we waited to see whether children would come. There had been much preparation, invitations had gone to local schools and many of our own children had invited friends. We also knew that many were praying for the club.
The children began to arrive and kept on coming. The minibus arrived with a full load of children. Soon we were busy registering and settling in more than eighty children. The Annexe was full with nearly 50 seven to eleven year olds. Most of the children came back the next day, and others joined them. By Thursday nearly 120 children had heard the Gospel at least once during the week. Many of these (about half) were not from church families.
The programme consisted of singing, learning verses, quizzes on the previous day’s programme, a video, craft and games. The central point of each day was the Gospel talk,based on incidents in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ where He showed His power. We looked at the story of the paralysed man (power to heal and forgive), the feeding of the 5,000 (power to provide), the stilling of the storm (power over nature),and the crucifixion and resurrection (power to save). The children listened well and their answers the next day showed that they had remembered.
During the week, we also met many of the parents and were able to talk to them. For some, this is the third year that their children have come to the club during the Easter holidays. On Thursday all parents were invited to stay for coffee after the club, and the hall was almost full of children, the team of helpers and other family members. The children sang, recited a verse and were each given a Christian book. The Pastor spoke briefly explaining what an evangelical church is, using the verse “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of god unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”
Looking back,all involved felt that it was a very worthwhile week. We were particularly encouraged to see so many 7-11s. Two years ago there were less than 20. All of the children were given invitations to the regular children’s meetings in the church and those who are old enough received camp brochures: pray that those who do not attend regularly will respond to these invitations. Please pray for all the children,whether from Christian homes or not, that the Lord will continue to use the seed sown to bring many to know the power of the Lord Jesus to save.
We are hoping, God willing, to hold another Holiday Bible Club next year from 29th March to 1st April. There will be a need to think carefully about the arrangements for this, as there could be need for more space, particularly for the junior children. Our prayer is that the Lord will continue to bless this outreach.
Richard Akrill
