When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to burst. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’s knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were astounded at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” - Luke 5:4-10

The kids keep coming.

Last night, it was our third day of Vacation Bible School. I could say a great deal about the music, the Bible stories, the science experiments, the games, the laughter, the prayers, the hugs, the yetis. But what I want to write about is this: the kids keep bringing more kids. 

When we started on Sunday, there were 38 kids registered ahead of time for VBS. By the end of opening on Tuesday, 44 kids (not counting a dozen middle and high school helpers) were sprawled out on the floor of the sanctuary, watching as Ollie the Arctic Seal and Activity Director Sean talked about God’s strength helping us to give our all, even when we’re feeling like we’re not enough. They jumped up to sing and dance. They went on their way to stations, one group forming a train and “choo-choo”-ing all the way down the hall.

I noticed that among the kids registering on Tuesday were some who had come just because their friends had invited them to join in at Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS. I can imagine the nine-year-old conversation, “I’m going to church tonight for VBS, and it’s a lot of fun! Will your parents let you come, too?” At least, my own nine-year-old was adamant last week that I send messages like that to her friends’ parents, inviting them to join in the VBS fun.

Elementary school kids are often the best evangelists. I think it’s because they don’t overcomplicate things. When they’re having a good time, feeling safe, and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit among us, they want other people to have that, too. Honestly, I’m prepared to credit my daughter with thirteen people’s connections to RLC because of her enthusiastic invitations to her friends (whose parents, siblings, and grandparents have come along). Kids are okay with it if their invitations are rejected; they just offer an invitation to someone else or wait a while and invite that first person again, just in case they’ve changed their mind. Kids aren’t worried about judgment from their peers about going to church. Kids know that they’re doing something worth sharing, and they want to share it! 

The ever-increasing VBS participation makes me think of the story of Jesus causing Simon’s fishnets to overflow. Simon did everything he was supposed to do: no fish. Simon did what he was supposed to do with the power of Jesus: so many fish! Astounding.

I find myself this week astounded by what the Holy Spirit can do with the faith of children. The kids keep bringing more kids! I wonder what would happen if adults were more like children, freely inviting friends to come and be part of RLC’s ministries? I believe God’s power would astound us once more with the incredible catch.