Vacation Bible School (VBS) memories compete for some of the best snapshots from childhood experiences. Whether one’s favorite activity was hearing the Bible story, singing familiar children’s songs or creating works of art from Popsicle sticks and Elmer’s glue, VBS thrilled many who now teach in those same settings.
And the activities encompassing VBS continue to delight youngsters today, each year bringing a new and exciting theme and experience. VBS also tops the chart in evangelism for Southern Baptists.
“[Vacation Bible School] is the most evangelical thing that Southern Baptists do,” said James Blakeney, associate for preschool/children leadership in the office of Sunday School at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. “There are more professions of faith made as a result of VBS than anything else we do.”
About two-thirds of Alabama Baptist churches host VBS each year, according to Blakeney. While numbers are not yet reported for the 2002 VBS season, Blakeney said about 2,200 of the 3,200 Alabama Baptist churches hosted VBS in 2001.
Blakeney anticipated enrollment for this year’s VBS in Alabama to be between 250,000 and 300,000.
“Most of our churches have been showing a steady increase in attendance,” he said.
But VBS is not only for children, Blakeney pointed out. “Vacation Bible School reaches not only children but their families as well,” he noted. “The purpose is to teach the Bible to children and adults and to reach unchurched people.”
Chip Warren, minister of education at First Baptist Church, Albertville, agrees.
“I tell our people every year that this is probably one of the most important events during the year that pays benefits all year, through gaining prospects, finding new teachers and the friends teachers make by working together,” he said.
Warren said First Baptist, Albertville, averaged 403 during this year’s daytime VBS for children and preschoolers and 100 in its nighttime youth VBS.
Commending children’s minister Theresa Mayo for implementing new ideas during the year’s VBS, Warren said the traditional opening and closing services were different.
“The worship rally was moved to the end of VBS,” he said. “In addition to working well, parents could pick up their kids in the sanctuary instead of trying to find their classes.”
The closing service was moved to Wednesday night following the weekly mealtime at the church, which drew a large crowd, Warren noted.
First Baptist, Albertville, found success with its nighttime VBS for youth and so have others. Some are even moving all ages to a nighttime VBS.
“Sixty percent of Alabama churches have reported a night VBS instead of a daytime one,” Blakeney said. “They have an easier time getting people to work, and it can be less expensive because utility bills are cheaper.”
But not all churches are ready to give up the morning hours.
Doris Collins, minister to children at First Baptist Church, Montgomery, said, “We talked about [a nighttime VBS] this year, but with preschoolers, the parents were concerned.
“The best time to teach preschoolers is in the morning,” she said.
As far as youth go, some churches offer a separate VBS for them, while others weave them into the younger age groups as helpers.
“It’s a real plus that the youth are there,” said Ginny Glass, minister to children and preteens at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Homewood. “The younger children build relationships with the older children, and as they see them at other church activities, those relationships continue to build,” she said.
Warren added that the pastor plays an important role in the promotion and support of VBS.
“Our pastor, Mike Johnson, used to be the state VBS promoter,” Warren said. “He’s really big on Vacation Bible School, so that’s been a big help.”
And whether the Alabama Baptist churches used LifeWay Christian Resources’ Amazon Outfitters theme this year or created their own, Blakeney wants to hear from all of them. Contact him at 1-800-264-1225 for more information.
2001 VBS numbers show increase
Statistics for the 2001 “Truth Trackers”-themed Vacation Bible School (VBS) are in and the news is good.
Based on figures taken from the Annual Church Profile, total VBS enrollment was 3,230,493, up by more than 400,000 from the previous year, reported Becky Martin, VBS ministry specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
James Blakeney, associate for preschool/children leadership in the office of Sunday School for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said only a third of Alabama’s 3,200 Baptist churches and missions had filled out the VBS report for 2001. But those that did reported 5,002 professions of faith. Of the Alabama churches that filled out the annual church profile, 2,194 reported holding VBS, with an enrollment of 250,011.
VBS has traditionally added thousands to the Sunday School prospect lists of churches. In 2001, this was once again the case. There were 289,679 people added to the prospect lists. Of these prospects, at least 14,335 came from Alabama.
Martin also said that in 2001, 63 percent of churches having VBS did their program during the evening. Blakeney said 60 percent of Alabama churches did the same.
Martin added that many churches, associations and state conventions are working to make their reports in the Southern Baptist Directory Services, making VBS numbers more available.
Blakeney encouraged all SBC churches to report online through the Directory Services, no matter what curriculum they used. Churches can go online at www.lifeway.com/sbds to find out more about online reporting.
Statistics for the 2002 VBS will be available in July 2003. (BP, TAB)
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