National LifeWay conference in Birmingham debuts VBS 2011; 2 Alabamians honored

LifeWay Christian Resources held its yearly Kids Ministry Conference in Birmingham Oct. 11–13.

The purpose of the conference is to train, equip and encourage preschool and children’s leaders.

There were 495 attendees from across the United States.

The conference premiered LifeWay’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) theme for 2011 — “Big Apple Adventure” — with the kids choir of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills (pictured above), debuting some of the music.

During the conference, two Alabamians were honored. Karen Prickett, director of children’s ministries at Eastaboga Baptist Church (pictured left), was chosen to represent all children’s ministers at the conference. She was given this honor during the Oct. 11 evening session, along with free registration to the conference and some LifeWay resources.

James Blakeney, an associate in the office of Sunday School/Bible study ministries of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (pictured right), was recognized for his work championing VBS across Alabama. He was honored during the Oct. 13 evening session and given  the new Holman Christian Standard Study Bible.  (TAB)