VBS in the time of COVID

We just finished VBS this week. It was a marvelous triumph, despite its small size relative to past years. VBS at Baptist Temple has included as many as five churches and often involves the assistance of a visiting short term mission team. We have recorded attendances of over 200 and one year had 40 professions of faith.

 

VBS is a big deal in the American church. It is bigger than Easter and Christmas in most churches. Lifeway, Group, Concordia, and other publishers put out elaborate kits around themes that capture the imagination. Oriental Trading puts out decorations and trinkets linked to the various themes. It is big business. Baptist Temple spent over $2000 in 2019 for VBS.

Kay Richardson has been directing VBS for the past several years, presiding over impressive productions that included a diverse group of leaders and children that included a wide range of age, cultural and economic strata. There have been light shows, worship bands, witty treat and elaborate decorations. Once we had an airplane with a six foot wingspan on stage. This year, however, was her best.

COVID led to the cancellation of VBS last year. This year seemed a bit iffy. The churches with which we usually partnered opted out. Our children’s ministry was small and we were unable to accomplish our typical summer outreach. Kay overcame these challenges and coordinated a VBS program that maximized our resources without taxing our workers. The children had a wonderful time and the workers an enriching experience.

Most important is the fact that we pushed forward in the face of uncertainty and adversity. We were faithful our service to the Lord and emerged victorious. It wasn’t our biggest VBS nor did it set a record for professions of faith, but it was, arguably, our most successful.

A big thank you to Kay and her steadfast team. To God be the glory

Six Churches, One VBS

For the second year, the churches that meet on the Baptist Temple campus joined forces to put together a high quality VBS. The level of energy and the spirit of unity displayed were beyond measure. The Sunday morning attendance of the BT campus churches ranges from 20 to 150 and includes Baptist Temple Church, Community Bible Church Highland Park, Mision Bautista Betel, Family Deaf Church and Sunny Slope Baptist Church.

These churches have a diverse membership that crosses ethnic, racial, language and economic barriers. We were joined this year by a church that ministers to African refugees, Iglesia del Dios Altisimo. Their African children plus a student mission team from Baptist University of the Americas brought a total of 14 different nations to our campus that week.

Our efforts resulted in over 90 workers, 173 students enrolled, 667 dinners served, $730 raised for missions and six decisions for salvation. Although the six decisions seems a low number, we had a lot of children return who had made decisions last year.

The most significant impact of that week was the Kingdom impact of six churches, different from each other in many ways, working together for the sake of the gospel!

Click here for a slide show recap of VBS 2017 on YouTube.

VBS Answered Prayers

Guest blog by Kay Richardson

VBS on the #BTCampus is June 11-15... just days away! Things are coming together. The only area I'm a little weak in is guides and God has really answered some prayer this week!

Last Monday, I was in the church office when a man called and asked if he could enroll his 4th grade autistic son in our VBS. I spoke with him and asked if he could meet me Thursday so I could talk to him about his son. I have 2 adult guides for each grade level, but I knew I was going to need another adult in that 4th grade class because this little boy probably will need some 1 on 1. Later that afternoon, I was working in my SS room on some VBS stuff and a young woman came in. She said, "Do you have to be a member of the church to work in VBS?"

I told her NO, I could use the help! Then she said, "I'm a 4th grade teacher at the charter school."

I told her I had just the place for her! She then told me her parents have a small church on the west side of SA and she just wanted to be a part of our VBS to learn. She said they have some Swahili children who come to their church and asked if she could bring them to our VBS! Oh, my! What a blessing to have these sweet children come and be a part! She has to learn to drive her church's van so she can bring them! So pray she is able to drive their church van!

Now, know that we REALLY need guides for PK4 & Kinder!

I sat in front of the church at a VBS table to catch parents from the charter school to enroll children in VBS. We had sent home a flier the day before. I enrolled 2 different families. BOTH parents were interested in our Adult VBS AND one parent said she has 3 teenagers who would love to help!!! Hello PreK/K!!!

A couple of other people took registration forms with them and said they would return them later. I really was afraid they would forget – it was the last day of school – BUT they did not forget! One family registered a child and an 8th grader who might be a guide. Another family registered 5 kids.

We so want to reach out into our community for this VBS. Last year we did a prayer walk and passed out flyers but didn't get much response. This year we have sent fliers and set up tables at our school and day care. We will be doing two prayer walks and passing out fliers. This year we added "call the church office if you need van transportation" so we'll see what happens.

A young mother has been coming to my Sunday morning Bible study class. She and her kids are living in a women's shelter. She wants to bring her kids to VBS and help so we will be picking her up on a van! Perhaps there are others who live there who will want to come.

My van drivers are gonna be busy!

Please continue to pray for our VBS! If you can be a part of one of the Prayer Walks through the neighborhood that would be great! We have 2 opportunities to pray and pass out fliers on Saturday, June 3 from 9-11 and Friday, June 9 at 6pm.

I'm praying that God will use all of you to teach kids about Jesus and encourage them to follow him!

We will have time for set up on Saturday, June 10 from 9-12 and then after morning worship on Sunday, June 11. I plan to meet with the Guides at 3:30 and ALL volunteers at 4:30. We can then go eat dinner at 5 and we start at 6.

Churches Partner to Create a First-Rate VBS experience in the Inner-City

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is the highlight of the year for Baptist churches. It is an opportunity to teach children about Jesus and make contact with new families. This year we had a spectacular VBS on the Baptist Temple campus. Not because of our enrollment, 249, nor the number of workers, 96, not even the 32 professions of faith. Many churches have eclipsed those numbers. What was remarkable was that four churches sharing an inner-city campus joined forces to provide a top caliber VBS experience. The congregations included a Spanish language and a Deaf congregation. A 30 member short-term mission team from Houston added to both the success and the extraordinary nature of this bold ministry endeavor.

The stories are even more noteworthy than the numbers. The 32 professions of faith included children whose families are hostile to the gospel. This is not a dark cloud overshadowing a joyful event. This is the light of Jesus penetrating the darkness. “This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,” will be the theme song of these young lives.

One woman, who recently committed her life to Christ, asked for a copy of the adult VBS class picture. It was her first Bible study. Ruby, one of our seniors, attended the adult class. She was not sure why God led her to attend until she gave away a Bible on the first day. She brought a Bible to give away each day of VBS.

Our mission project this year was to prepare emergency meal bags. One child overheard another telling us he had no food at home. He decided to give his bag to the hungry boy.

Hunger is a problem in our community. Over 90% of the children in our three closest elementary schools qualify for free and reduced lunches. We provided a free dinner each night for the folks involved with VBS, along with a healthy snack.

VBS helps us to minister to both the spiritual and physical needs of our community. Moreover, we created new relationships through which we can share God's love to the families in our community.

VBS is the highpoint of the year for Baptist churches

I remember my first Vacation Bible School. I was on a mission trip to Miami and we were conducting a VBS at an inner city church. Veteran city missionaries Rosemarie & Mildred taught me the ropes. We began each morning with a parade down the sidewalks of our neighborhood and gathered the children.

At the church we pledged allegiance to the American flag, the Christian flag and the Bible. We sang songs and broke up into age groups for Bible stories and simple crafts made from a recycled margarine tubs, egg cartons and greeting cards that were held together with glue and pipe cleaners.

In the afternoon we conducted an outdoor VBS at a low income housing project on Miami's north side. And so I was introduced to a tradition that dates back to the 19^th century.

Early on VBS was longer (six weeks) and found in inner city areas (New York, Chicago and Philadelphia). By the beginning of the 20^th Century the Baptist Mission Society helped spread the VBS idea across America. The movement had such momentum that Standard Publishing began producing printed material in 1923.

Today VBS is the highpoint of the year for Baptist churches. It is used to bring new families into the church and expose children to the gospel. The results for most churches are increased Sunday school enrollment and new believers.

The workers get to put their faith into action. For many it is their first opportunity to serve. Some are new to the church and have a chance to get to know their fellow members while working with the kids. There is always something to do. If a church has all the teachers they need, there are opportunities in set up and take down, transportation, refreshments, publicity, etc.

It can be small and simple (some are done in back yards with less than a dozen children) or it can be an elaborate production. You can put it together yourself or you can buy elaborate kits from a variety of sources. Big or small, every church will receive a boost.

Although Baptist Temple is an inner city church with a tight budget, we were able to put together a big production thanks to some help from friends. Our VBS involved 115 children, 62 adult and youth workers from our church, and 26 young adults on a mission trip from Mimosa Lane Baptist Church. The mission group provided a big boost with their worship band, light show, movement team and recreation team. They greatly increased our worker to child ratio. Another key to the spectacular look of this year's VBS was Lifehouse Church passing down their VBS decorations to us.

More than a quarter of the children enrolled do not attend church. We expect a good number of them to join our Sunday school. Fifteen of the older children responded positively to a presentation of the gospel. Just as important was the fun the children had as they learned the Bible. The adults had fun, too (although they put in long hours). Who could ask for more?

Here are links to some great pics: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5.