Now Back to 2012!

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Yesterday we had great fun revealing Colossal Coaster World, the hair raising theme for VBS 2013. I heard from many of you who are already planning “research” trips (a.k.a. family adventures) to amusement parks to prep. I have visited a couple myself in the past few months – purely for “research” mind you – and hope to visit one or two more by the time we introduce the theme for VBS 2014! So little time, so many roller coasters to ride!

But before we get too carried away with VBS 2013 we need to fly back to VBS 2012. More Bible schools will be held this week than any other week of the year. This means in the next few days I will start receiving thousands of VBS Reports. Actually, I have already received a few from churches holding VBS during Spring break.

Each year we mail a personalized VBS Report form to every church in the Southern Baptist Convention – some 46,000 plus. The 2012 Report Form was mailed out last week and should be arriving at your church any day now. WATCH FOR IT!

This form will already have your church name, address, and Southern Baptist Directory Services (SBDS) identification number and password. Using the ID and password you can enter your VBS information directly into the SBDS reporting system. You can also use the provided contact information to mail or FAX your completed report form.

This report is a Southern Baptist Convention report and not a LifeWay report. We encourage you to report your VBS whether you use curriculum from LifeWay, another publisher, or create your own. We also encourage you to report your VBS even if you call it something other than VBS.

In the event you can not locate the personalized report form you can always use the one provided in the Administrative Guide for Directors.

The data from this report helps us evaluate the effectiveness of the VBS ministry. Did you know VBS has been around for over 100 years and is still the largest outreach ministry conducted by most churches.

Thanks for all you do to promote the life changing ministry of VBS, and I look forward to reading your report!

VBS, Football, & Blue Ridge Mountains = KMC

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I can hardly wait to introduce the VBS 2013 theme! But if I told you today I would ruin the big surprise planned for June 4. Your kids are going to love it, and I’m pretty sure you will too. As I am often heard saying, “VBS 2013 is like nothing we have ever done before!”

Our VBS team is working around the clock dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. In addition to the theme, we will be revealing another big announcement as well. So stay tuned!

If you are like me, the minute you know the theme you will want to start planning. A great way to get a jump start on planning for VBS 2013 is by attending LifeWay’s Kids Ministry Conference, October 8-10, at Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina. Just think – Vacation Bible School AND October in the breath-taking Blue Ridge Mountains. Can it get any better? Yes it can! Just wait until you see the lineup of guests.

Not only is KMC a time to learn from dozens of great breakout session leaders, but it will be a terrific opportunity to recharge and worship with Travis Cottrell, pastors Tony Merida and Clayton King, and Bible teacher Lisa Harper.

Of course October means football, so we have it covered with Coach Tommy Bowden and former football player John Croyle.

Visit the website to view the event schedule and to discover more featured guests, including Doug Fields, Melissa Trevathan, Sissy Goff, and Dave Thomas.

I’m looking forward to seeing you in October!

Appreciate Your Leaders

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You’ve enlisted them, you’ve trained them, and they’ve done their jobs! Now it’s time to show them a little appreciation for all those long hours, last minute errands, and loving’ on the kids.

No matter who you are or how long you’ve invested in the lives of kids, it never gets old to be appreciated, so we’ve complied some clever ways to say, “Thank you for all you do.”  Check out our “Teacher Appreciation Board” on the LifeWay Kids Pintrest site.  Some of my favorites include:

 

Or check out specific VBS theme appreciation ideas on the enhanced CD in the front of the VBS 2013 Administrative Guide for Directors.

What are some ways you’ve thanked your teachers?

Club VBS – Answering Your Questions

Many of you are preparing for an out-of-this-world VBS experience with Club VBS SpaceQuest! Space was a theme many of you requested on our surveys last year. We were so excited that we were able to offer a fun theme that focused on Jesus and His mission to be the Savior of the world.

Recently I saw a couple of customer questions asking where Club VBS Snacks and Crafts suggestions could be found. You’ll love this answer! Both Snacks and Crafts are two of the reproducible sections found in The Administrative Guide in the Club VBS 2012 Starter Kit. Not only will you find preparation and planning helps in The Administrative Guide, but you will also find a section for recreation, crafts, snacks, and Babies-2s.

A ton of resources are also available online at www.lifeway.com/clubvbs ! You can find photos of the crafts, photos of the snacks, and Club VBS 2012 SpaceQuest Drama Scripts.

Rocket Pop-up Card

Planet Ring Fruit Tray

You can also download FREE Adult Club VBS Bible Studies, as well as FREE Mission Stories to accompany your Club VBS.

Orbit around the Club VBS website when you get a chance.

If you plan to use Club VBS this summer, be sure and tell us about it! We’d love to hear how Club VBS worked for you!

A Movement Called VBS

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A few days ago I purchased my first pair of TOMS shoes – grey classics. Now I know some of you might be thinking I’m a little too old and definitely not hip enough to wear such shoes, but hey, you are as young as your feet feel, and mine are feeling exceedingly young today!

Upon opening the box I found a tag that proclaimed that I am now part of a movement and should share this information proudly! So I’m sharing.

I have bought plenty of shoes in my life, but this is the first pair that proclaimed me a member of a movement. My point here is not to promote a particular brand of shoes, so I’ll let you figure out the “movement” for yourself. What I do want to promote is the idea of a movement – or a group of people banding together to promote a commonly held belief or passion.

Vacation Bible School is a movement that began in 1898 when Mrs. Walker Hawes, a doctor’s wife from the East side of New York City, obediently responded to God’s call to minister to the neighborhood children who were in desperate need of organized activities.

Here we are 114 years later continuing not only the dream God planted in her heart, but continuing the passion of reaching boys and girls, teenagers, and adult for Jesus Christ through the ministry of VBS. The methods have changed over the years, but the message has thankfully remained the same.

Millions upon millions of people have been recipients of the message and have experienced a personal encounter with Jesus Christ as a result of the faithfulness of Mrs. Walker Hawes and the many – including you – who have followed in her footsteps.

You are part of a movement! Proclaim it proudly!