Sharing the Gospel Through an Online VBS

2022

By Kelly Mehee Shin

Refugee children and youth in Athens participate in an Online VBS with a Home Church team from Saddleback Church in April 2022.

WHEN DISTANCE COULD NOT STOP THE GOSPEL

In April 2022, the continuing effects of COVID-19 made it impossible for a ministry team from the United States to travel to Athens and serve in person. However, distance did not prevent us from finding a way to share God’s love with refugee children.

A Home Church connected with Saddleback Church partnered with our local team to organize an online Vacation Bible School. While the church team joined remotely from the United States, approximately thirty refugee students from kindergarten through twelfth grade gathered together in Athens.

What initially appeared to be a limitation became a new opportunity. Through technology and cooperation across countries, the children were able to participate in a Christ-centered program designed especially for them.

EXPERIENCING GOD’S LOVE

The purpose of the VBS was not simply to provide activities for the children. We wanted each student to encounter God’s Word and experience His love through the people who prepared, taught, prayed, and cared for them.

Through songs and motions, the children learned about Jesus in a way they could understand and remember. Bible lessons introduced them to the message of the gospel, while prayer showed them that they could speak to God and bring their needs before Him.

Scripture memorization also gave the students an opportunity to engage directly with the Bible. Even within a short program, they heard, repeated, and remembered God’s Word—planting truths in their hearts that could remain with them long after the VBS ended.

PARTNERSHIP ACROSS THE DISTANCE

The online VBS reminded us that meaningful ministry is possible even when people cannot serve together in the same physical location. The Saddleback Church Home Church team shared their time, gifts, creativity, and love from the United States, while the local team in Athens provided the space, materials, guidance, and personal care the children needed.

Each team had a different role, but both worked toward the same purpose. Technology connected the teachers and students, while prayer, preparation, and cooperation made the program personal and engaging.

This partnership showed us that distance does not have to prevent Christians from serving together. When churches and ministry teams share their gifts faithfully, they can create opportunities for children to hear God’s Word and experience the love of Christ.

SEEDS OF FAITH

A short program cannot answer every question or meet every need in a child’s life. Yet even a few days of worship, Bible teaching, prayer, creativity, and loving attention can plant important seeds of faith.

For some children, the songs and motions provided a memorable introduction to Jesus. For others, Bible verses offered words of hope they could carry with them. The relationships formed during the program also showed the children that Christians in both Athens and the United States cared about them and were praying for them.

We trusted God to use each lesson, song, conversation, and act of kindness in His own time. Our responsibility was to share His Word faithfully, demonstrate His love, and continue walking alongside the children and their families after the VBS ended.

REFLECTION

The online VBS taught us that ministry does not depend on ideal circumstances. COVID-19 prevented the American team from traveling to Athens, but it could not prevent believers from praying, preparing, serving, and sharing the gospel together.

We also learned that children receive God’s Word through many different forms. A Bible lesson, a song with motions, a memorized verse, a craft, a game, or a caring conversation can all help communicate the love of Jesus.

God used technology to connect people across great distances, but the heart of the ministry remained personal. The children were seen, welcomed, encouraged, and reminded that they are loved by God. What began as a response to travel restrictions became a meaningful example of how the body of Christ can work together across countries and cultures.