Author Archive

Welcome, Bethany!

 

Welcome, Bethany Brown!

Welcome the newest member of the VBS team, Bethany Brown!

Before coming to LifeWay, Bethany was a Business Reporter for her hometown newspaper in East Tennessee. She has also worked with LifeWay previously as a summer staffer for a combination Centrifuge and M-FUGE camp in the summer of 2010. She loves to work with words, whether it’s editing, writing or just reading them. She is passionate about seeing those words draw people closer to God and His love and value for them, as well as seeing them grasp their worth in Him. For that reason, she says it is a dream come true to be working at LifeWay, helping publish materials that do just that.

Our reporters caught up with Bethany for a few random facts:

Favorite kitchen appliance- the blender to make yummy smoothies!

Favorite place- East Africa, where Bethany spent some of her growing up years as a missionary kid.

Favorite TV show- VeggieTales

Favorite snack- GoGurt

Favorite book- The Chronicles of Narnia (yes even though that’s more than one book).

Favorite verse- Psalm 62: 5-8

 

You can read some of Bethany’s writing at the blog she keeps with several friends, www.unfading.org.

‘Tis the Season – And I’m Not Talking Holidays!

It’s as exciting and terrifying as stepping up to the gate of the world’s fastest roller coaster! When all the whirling, swirling parts of this ginormous ride we call VBS come sliding into the gate and the first Super Sampler is ready to be shipped … whoosh!!! What a rush! The behind the scenes work of countless people and thousands of hours is represented in this amazing collection of work. About this time of year Candy Gibson, our phenomenal friend in procurement, and I go out to the warehouse where a great bunch of folks make sure the Samplers and Super Samplers are assembled in the best way possible.

Gathering all the parts for the VBS 2013 Super Sampler

We take our lists and check and double check and triple check.

Double and triple checking our lists

We line things up just the way they need to go.

Debbie Carter knows assembly like no one else. And has THE BEST smile. It’s worth the trip to meet her!

Debbie makes sure we get it right!

The final check is done and the first official Super Sampler of the season is ready to go!!!

Way to go team!

A Fun New Collection!

I love to collect things! Do you? Over the years I’ve collected postcards, thimbles, pencil leads (don’t judge!), rocks, cardinals, buttons … the list could go on and on. I have a collection of collections! Kids love to collect things, too., especially if each item reminds them of something special.

Our VBS 2013 Daily Collectible Buttons are next on my “gotta-have” collection list! These cute little buttons are about 7/8-inch in diameter and have a safety pin back. Each day’s button will help kids wear a reminder of what they learned at VBS.

On day one, the “Trust God” button will remind kids that God has not given them a spirit of fearfulness. The days two and three “Power” and “Love” buttons are reminders of what God has promised. When kids are challenged to tap into God’s spirit of sound judgement, the “wisdom” button will remind kids to use wise self-control. The day five button is the 2 Timothy 1:7 reference as kids review this week long key verse. A sixth pin with the Colossal Coaster World™ logo makes the set complete!

Do you like to collect buttons? How do you display them? We’d love to see pictures!

 

Happy National Swap Ideas Day!

Monday was National Swap Ideas Day! And VBS friends are THE BEST idea swappers in the world! Let’s fill today’s comment page with all sorts of fun VBS ideas from your craziest promo idea… to your best craft… to your yummiest snack ever!

And what about those “we do it every year” VBS traditions? We’d love to swap ideas for those things that make your VBS unique and special to your church!

I’ll start the ball rolling with a crazy promo idea. I remember a great friend who promoted her Ocean Odyssey VBS by splashing up out of the baptistery in full snorkel gear!

I can’t wait to hear your ideas. Let’s celebrate NATIONAL SWAP IDEAS DAY together!

Back to (Vacation Bible) School!

Where did the summer go? If you are like me, the last couple of months have gone by in a blur of events, wacky schedules and, well, just stuff! But the smell of new school supplies is back in the air! (I just love the crisp feel of a new notebook and the smell of a fresh box of crayons. Please tell me I’m not the only one.)

As families get back in the school groove, it’s a perfect time to reconnect with kids who came to your VBS.

Here’s an idea or two:

1. Send a letter or email to kids who attended VBS and tell them something fun their Sunday School class will be doing the next Sunday on in the coming weeks.

2. Put together a “Back to School Pack” (school supplies, snacks, and other fun items) and make a quick visit to drop off the pack and invite kids to a children’s event at your church.

3. Send a newsletter to the families you discovered in VBS with a list of “Fun Things Happening at _______ Church.” Describe the events and tell how to discover more information.

What are some great “Back to School” things you have done to reconnect with kids and their families? Please share! We love to pass along great ideas!

Coming with VBS 2013 – Backyard Kids Club™

 One of the most exciting things about my job is watching God put the pieces together to make something great happen. That’s what it has felt like as the plans for a Backyard Kids Club resource have come together. Here’s a sneak peak at the why, what, and who of Backyard Kids Club.

Why offer a Backyard Kids Club option? 

Many churches are looking for ways to take VBS outside their church and into their communities. Whether those communities are down the street or around the world, our Backyard Kids Club Directors Guide and Backyard Kids Club Kit provide portable resources that can be used easily wherever you can gather a group of kids!

What will be available to help organize and conduct a Backyard Kids Club?

The Backyard Kids Club Directors Guide is designed for the person or team who will be coordinating and planning the Backyard Kids Club or Clubs. Based on expert advice from folks who have held successful Backyard Kids Clubs, this guide gives easy, step-by-step instructions.

The Backyard Kids Club Kit is an all-in-one box designed for a club of about 25 to 30 kids. The traditional VBS curriculum is simplified to fit a limited outdoor setting. The kit includes leader resources for worship and music, Bible study, crafts, and recreation. A special “Host Folder” even includes snack ideas. Music CDs and a choreography DVD are included!

What if a church wants some of the “extras” that go with a traditional VBS?

Because our Backyard Kids Club uses the same Bible content, music, and theme as our traditional VBS, all the fun accessories used for a large scale VBS will coordinate with your Backyard Kids Club!

Who will be able to benefit from the Backyard Kids Club resources?

  • Churches who are looking to take VBS outside the church walls and into communities where kids are
  • Mission groups who need a pack-and-go VBS option for local community centers, campgrounds, or mission locations in other states or around the world
  • Small churches who may have twenty or fewer children, but wish to provide a summer VBS experience that will reach the kids and their families

I know there are even more ideas about how this resource could be used. What are some of your ideas? Have we gotten your wheels turning? We’d love to hear from you!

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Today on Kids Ministry 101, learn more about LifeWay’s Kids Ministry Conference!