By Jana Magruder NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- For First Baptist Church of Panama City, Fla., Vacation Bible School (VBS) was more than simply “worth doing” last summer. It was a critical need for the community. Although Hurricane Michael had ravaged the panhandle of Florida in October 2018, the Panama City area still looked like a war zone in June 2019. And the aesthetics of the … [Read more...]
LifeWay offers first-ever free VBS preview simulcast event January 10
By Joy Allmond NASHVILLE, Tenn.— As hundreds gather at Ridgecrest Conference Center for Friday’s kickoff of the 2020 VBS preview series, anyone—for the first time ever—can watch from around the globe. On Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. ET, LifeWay will live stream the evening session of their “Concrete & Cranes” preview event from the conference center near Asheville, N.C. for … [Read more...]
VBS continues despite tragedy of Hurricane Michael
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZfmquZUR-w By Tess Schoonhoven PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Uprooted dead trees line the ground. Uninhabitable apartment buildings are empty. Street signs are missing. Businesses are closed. Families have vacated their homes. It might sound like a war zone, but this is Panama City, Fla., and the surrounding community that was devastated by … [Read more...]
FBC Sutherland Springs finds healing after tragedy through VBS
By Joy Allmond SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas —When First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, kicked off their annual VBS the week of June 3, it looked profoundly different from two years ago. On Nov. 5, 2017, a gunman entered their sanctuary, opened fire, and took the lives of 26 people. Several of those who lost their lives were instrumental in the VBS ministry … [Read more...]
Numbers show VBS is as effective and relevant as ever, say LifeWay leaders
By Joy Allmond BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Is Vacation Bible School (VBS) worth it? This is the question church leaders around the country ask themselves every year. And it was the theme of the LifeWay Christian Resources breakfast at the 2019 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting in Birmingham. “It’s a lot of work,” said Jana Magruder, LifeWay Kids director. … [Read more...]
