BATAVIA, IL (July 3, 2006) – Few adults work with the vacation Bible school at the Evangelical Covenant Church of Batavia; after all, the program has done just fine without them. <\/p>\n
Beginning in the early 1990s and continuing today under Jen Zerby, the director of student ministries, young people have staffed the VBS week. Students in middle school through college have organized, taught and built relationships with the children who attend the program.<\/p>\n
![\"VBS](\"http:\/\/old.covchurch.org\/uploads\/fp\/n0\/fpn04TxYuI1R7dPqIsp0AQ\/VBS.jpg\")
They have even written and taught biblical curriculum (although some is purchased), created and performed opening and closing skits, and lead crafts, says Zerby. \u201cThey do almost everything.\u201d Only a handful of adults are needed as supervisors and facilitators, as well as educators who help the youth plan the program, she adds.<\/p>\n
The church has enthusiastically supported the arrangement. \u201cIt\u2019s created a great following,\u201d Zerby says. \u201cA lot of people are used to this kind of program. They know it\u2019s a safe environment for the kids to be in.\u201d<\/p>\n
The VBS attendees look up to the older students, Zerby says. \u201cThe kids just mimic everything they do,\u201d which, Zerby adds, instills a greater sense of responsibility in the leaders. \u201cThey realize the kids are watching them.\u201d<\/p>\n
A large number of the students return to help after they have completed fifth grade. \u201cThey love it,\u201d Zerby says. \u201cThe kids who end up being our leaders are so energetic. They\u2019re great role models.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year, 57 students helped lead the program, which involved roughly 100 attendees. \u201cAs a youth leader, it\u2019s great to see kids step into leadership roles,\u201d Zerby says. \u201cThat\u2019s what you love to see happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always seems scary to let the youth be in charge,\u201d says church member Ann Richards. \u201cIt never seems organized enough even days in advance. But in the end, she adds, the week comes together, and \u201cyoung people\u2019s lives often are changed forever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allowing the students to lead the program has had long-term, encouraging results. At least eight of the students who have helped lead the VBS have eventually attended Covenant Bible College. More than a dozen have served on staff at Covenant camps. As many as 10 students have joined church praise teams, including Peter Milbourn, the congregations worship leader and head of the Trustees Board.<\/p>\n
At least five have become youth pastors in Covenant churches, and two others still are in seminary. Another student has just completed a two-year term in the mission field.<\/p>\n
To learn more about the program, call Zerby at 630-879 3832.<\/p>\n
Copyright \u00a9 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.<\/p>\n