Mississauga VBS students remember the persecuted

This summer, participants in Grace New Covenant Pentecostal Church’s VBS spent a day focusing on the persecuted Church and “remembering them that are in bonds (Hebrews 13:3).” We want to share the children’s experience at the Mississauga church with you and encourage you to educate your youngsters about the persecution of Christians worldwide in ways they can understand.

The day began with songs and stories to introduce children to the overall theme–remembering them that are in bonds.

The children were then divided into four groups, and each group went once through four stations over the course of the day.



Station 1: Find the fire
Here, kids learned about the persecution that occurs around the world on a daily basis. The station was set up to look and feel like a prison cell, and the children listened to the difficulties facing those persecuted. To provide reference, the VBS leaders made use of Torchlighters: The Richard Wurmbrand Story DVD and a VOM prayer map.

Station 2: Fight the fire

In the May 2011 VOM newsletter, readers were invited to create parachutes that are being dropped in the jungles of Colombia. This station was set up to imitate a jungle and 45-plus parachutes were made and decorated here! The children also got an opportunity to pick a Prisoner of Faith and write an encouraging letter to him or her.

Station 3: Feel the fire
To give kids an idea of what it’s like for prisoners to have their physical, emotional and spiritual strength tested, VBS leaders created a games’ station to test kids’ endurance levels. Some of the games took away the use of kids’ hands and feet. Others timed the kids while holding weights or had them see how long they could stand with knees bent against a wall.

Station 4: Face the fire

In this station, the three older groups were taken witnessing to “face” possible rejection when spreading the gospel. Most of the kids were nervous at the start, but they built up confidence with each person they spoke to! By the end of the day, more than 1,000 people in Mississauga received a tract with the Good News!

Through this VBS, children received a glimpse of the persecution happening around the world. Please join us in praying that the new-found awareness greatly impacts their lives for years to come.