Alabama Baptist churches had another fun-filled summer of Vacation Bible School (VBS), James Blakeney reported.
Although only half of this year’s results were submitted at press time, 892 churches reported nearly 47,000 children in VBS across the state with more than 4,200 of them making professions of faith. Current reports also reveal 125,748 involved in VBS and $267,785 raised for missions efforts.
“At this point, we are above where we were this time last year in enrollment, attendance and churches reporting,” said Blakeney, an associate in the office of Sunday School for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. “We’ve had four churches so far that have reported over 1,000 enrolled in VBS. Then a lot of churches had only 30 to 40, but they had a good (Bible) school.”
Attendance at Mount Gilead Baptist Church, Jacksonville, in Calhoun Baptist Association doubled this year to about 60 children. But more importantly, Pastor Mike Howard said nearly half of them made professions of faith.
“It was the most awesome experience that I have been through as a pastor and as a Christian,” he said.
“I’ve only been in the ministry since January. So, in my short term as a pastor, I was in awe to see that many young people make a decision in one night. Words cannot describe the experience.”
To help ensure successful Bible schools statewide, 900 associational leaders were trained in state VBS clinics and 9,144 local church leaders were trained by Alabama Baptist associations this year. And most Alabama Baptist churches used LifeWay Christian Resource’s theme Outrigger Island: Living God’s Unshakeable Truth, Blakeney said.
Children at Nazareth Baptist Church, Centre, in Cherokee Baptist Association so enjoyed Outrigger Island that church leaders held another VBS before school started.
“The children were so excited, and they did not want it to end,” said Tina McCord, church VBS director. “So we did a three-day VBS (and used) Power Lab: Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power by Group Publishing.
… It was really good because we had the initial outreach at the beginning of the summer and this one helped to keep them motivated and keep us in contact with them.”
For the second year, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Enterprise, in Coffee Baptist Association also found a way to make a greater impact on its students with free day camps.
“After we did it the first time, I had kids immediately asking if we could do it again,” said Annette Whitton, children’s ministry director. “This year, we added cooking, art and music (to) … softball/baseball, football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, dance, crafts, cheerleading. I just want the kids … to find a talent that the Lord has given them.”
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