Author Archive

Connecting Faith and Life

So what do you do when an unexpected crisis comes along? James Blakeney, Alabama Baptist Children’s Consultant, sent us this Big Apple story from Beth Yates and First Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa.

“After the tornado hit Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on April 27, 2011, we didn’t feel right about going about business as usual, especially when it came to VBS. So many churches were damaged, and others were in Disaster Relief support.  We decided to take VBS out to the community areas that were hardest hit by the tornado. We wanted to provide some positive activities for kids who still lived in those communities—something that was for them and not about the storm. We also wanted to encourage churches in the hardest hit areas that may not have been able to do VBS on their own.

“We contacted the pastors of Rosedale Baptist Church, The Soma Church, and Alberta Baptist Church, and they were very interested in partnering with us to provide VBS in their communities. Our student ministry also led a backyard Bible club for a mostly Hispanic neighborhood.

“The result was outstanding! The attendance and enrollment grew each day, with our highest attendance on Thursday—710! We were surprised at the number of older kids (above grade 6) who were attracted to VBS activities. We were able to give a Bible to every kid in VBS, cookies and Kool-Aid®, and even lunches at some locations. Our congregation could not have been more supportive.

“Everyone was encouraged by the workers from the other churches and by the kids who participated and their families. Even on the hottest days while they were working hard, many of our workers began to say things like, ‘This is the best VBS ever!’ ‘We should always do VBS this way!’ and ‘We need to do things like this more than once a year!’”

Thanks, Beth, for letting us tell your church’s story. Connecting faith and life . . . what’s your favorite Big Apple story?

Celebrating Our Freedom!

Last week, our department gathered to honor three of our own for their service to our country! Jeremy (also a new daddy!) is currently serving with the Air Force Reserve, and Angel and Ernie have recently retired from the service (Angel—27 years with the Army Reserve and Ernie—38 years with the Air Force Reserve). We are so thankful for them and many others who have served or are currently serving both in the United States and around the world!

Our Heroes!

So, what about you? What are your plans to celebrate your freedom?

The Big Apple in the Mule Capital of the World!

Hey y’all, It was definitely a big city adventure last week! My church is located in Columbia, Tennessee—home of the Mule Day celebrations! Yep, it’s a city that celebrates its mules! (But, I’ll save those stories for another time!)

We had about 140 super-neat preschoolers and I got to teach missions! From teaching them about Proof and Andrew to learning about the Zoe Church in Sao Paulo to hearing about the Fusion kids in New Orleans, it was definitely all about the big city!

Entering Proof’s Dog House (and our room)!

Playing a game with our dog ears!

My favorite experiences?

1. Listening to kids’ laughter and hearing them chat with their friends about the fun things they were doing at VBS!

2. Hearing kids verbalize places and ways that they can tell others about Jesus. Missions begins at home, right?

3. Watching the kids bring in school supplies for kindergartners in Joplin, Missouri. By the end of the week, we had tons of scissors, crayons, glue, notebooks, and erasers! Hands-on missions helps preschoolers think beyond themselves and about others (a sometimes hard concept for young kids).

4. Working with some of the best preschool VBS teachers in the world! They created an atmosphere of love and acceptance that made it easy for kids to hear about Jesus and His incredible love for them.

5. Knowing that when it was all over, some important truths had been planted in the hearts and minds of the boys and girls.

I can’t wait for next year!



VBS 2012 Preschool Bible Content

Hey y’all!

We are so excited about the preschool biblical content for VBS 2012! We want kids to learn about God, His amazing power, and His great love for us! Check out Amazing Wonders Aviation for Babies–Kindergartners!

 

Day 1: Amazing! God Can Do Anything

Bible Story: God Stopped the River Water Joshua 3:1-5,12-17; 4:1-11,16-17

Bible Verse:

(Babies–2s) God made the world. Jeremiah 32:17

(3s–Kindergarten) God made the world. God can do anything! Jeremiah 32:17

Life Application:                 

(Babies–2s) I can hear that God can do anything.

(3s–Kindergarten) I can hear that God has the power to do anything.

Day 2: Amazing! God Takes Care of People

Bible Story: God Took Care of Joshua and the People Joshua 6:1-16,20

Bible Verse:

(Babies–2s) God is with you. Joshua 1:9

(3s–Kindergarten) Be strong. Do not be afraid. God is with you. Joshua 1:9

Life Application:                 

(Babies–2s) I can hear that God is with me.

(3s–Kindergarten) I can know that God is with me everywhere I go.

Day 3: Amazing! God Loves Everyone

Bible Story: (Babies–2s) God Sent Jesus Luke 2:1-38

Bible Story: (3s–Kindergarten) God Sent His Son, Jesus Luke 2:1-38

Bible Verse:                 

(Babies–2s) God sent Jesus. 1 John 4:9

(3s–Kindergarten) God loved us and sent His Son, Jesus. 1 John 4:9

Life Application:                 

(Babies–2s) I can thank God for Jesus.

(3s–Kindergarten) I can thank God for sending His only Son, Jesus.

Day 4: Amazing! God Has a Plan for Everyone

Bible Story: (Babies–2s) Timothy Learned About God 2 Timothy 1:1-5, 3:14-17

Bible Story: (3s–Kindergarten) God’s Plan: Jesus Is Alive! John 20:1-18

Bible Verse:                 

(Babies–2s) Learn about God. Deuteronomy 31:13

(3s–Kindergarten) Jesus is alive! John 20:18

Life Application:                 

(Babies–2s) I can learn about God.

(3s–Kindergarten) I can be glad that Jesus is alive!

Day 5: Amazing! God Helps Me Show Love to Others

Bible Story: Jesus Taught How to Show Love Luke 10:25-37

Bible Verse: (Babies–Kindergarten) Love God and love others. Luke 10:27

Life Application:                 

(Babies–2s) I can love others.

(3s–Kindergarten) I can show my love for God by loving others.

“In a car, Honk! Honk! In a train, Choo! Choo! In a car, in a train, in a plane. Zoom! Zoom!

Hey y’all!

I’ve been listening to these words as I’m getting ready to teach at my church’s VBS in a few weeks. Our preschoolers will be singing “Everywhere I Go” each day at the Big Apple!

You can find this song (and other great ones like it) on the VBS 2011 Music for Preschoolers CD and on the CDs located in the leader packs (VBS 2011 Babies–2 Leader Pack, VBS 2011 3s–Pre-K Leader Pack, and VBS 2011 Kindergarten Leader Pack).

And, did you know that this preschool song has been illustrated into two super cute books? Kids can follow along in the book as they sing the song and make some of the fun sounds of New York City. Check these out: VBS 2011 Kid’s Activity Pak: Babies–2s and VBS 2011 Kid’s Activity Pak: 3s–Kindergarten. Both paks also contain five daily activity cards that are designed to be used in learning activities and then later at home.  What a great NYC souvenir for preschoolers!

I am so thankful for the great composers who write songs that preschoolers love to sing. It’s going to be a fun year for preschoolers at VBS!

“Everywhere I travel, everywhere I go, Jesus loves me, this I know.”

Song words and music by Lynn Shaw Bailey. Arranged by Barny Robertson.
© Copyright 2008 and this arrangement © copyright 2010 Van Ness Press, Inc. (ASCAP) (admin. by LifeWay Worship). All rights reserved.

Five Favorites

Hey y’all! As you get ready for a super Big Apple VBS, don’t forget to plan ways to encourage and thank your teachers! We all know that what we do is our gift to the Lord, but it helps to get affirmation from others! Here are some of my favorite ways. Go to the VBS 2011 Administrative Guide to see others!

1. Provide childcare 20 minutes before and after VBS. It always helps to have a few minutes to pray, handle last-minute things, and take a few deep breaths!

2. Make several prayer tokens (use the VBS 2011 Subway Tokens or create your own) to pass among teachers during VBS. Share this prayer plan with teachers before VBS begins. When a teacher receives a token, it means that the person passing it has just prayed for her. Encourage teachers to keep prayer going as they pass the prayer tokens!

3. Set up a teacher snack area. Ask senior adults who aren’t teaching in VBS to provide homemade goodies for teachers and workers.

4. Print daily appreciation cards and attach candies and treats. We’ve made it easy for you—check out the great cards already prepared for you! Look in the Director’s Helps section on the CD that comes with the VBS 2011 Administrative Guide.

5. Give each teacher a VBS 2011 Adult Apron. The gift becomes more special when kids sign it or add their handprints.

So what’s your favorite way to encourage leaders? Share it here!