VBS, Jesus, and You!

January in the Kids Training & Events office here at LifeWay means Vacation Bible School Training! We have been traveling the country giving church leaders and volunteers a taste of what’s to come this summer on Amazing Wonders Aviation. We’ve been having a blast! We have one more event next week at First Baptist Church, Kissimmee, FL. I love to see people’s faces as they come through the door so excited about getting a chance to see and hear all that VBS has to offer. It brings 30, 40, and 50-year-old men and women back to their childhood days and their faces light up like they just entered Santa’s workshop!

But in the midst of all of that, when I hear stories of how God has moved in VBS programs across the country, I am filled with joy. It's humbling to know that I am a part of something much bigger than myself, and it causes me to remember Christ and to worship Him for all He is.

VBS is so much bigger than just your church or your community that you live in. If you participated in VBS last year alone, you were a part of a story that included over 80,000 decisions made for Christ. WOW! Take some serious time today to pray for those kids that made that decision to follow Jesus. Maybe you know some of them by name. Pray for those that made decisions last year to find people to surround them with Godly wisdom and teaching.  Maybe the Lord is drawing you to someone specific from last summer that you need to follow-up with and ask them about their walk with Jesus. If you are actively seeking His guidance, God will use you. He wants to work through you in order to draw more people to Him. God is all about bringing glory to Himself...and that is certainly a relief! In all you do, whether VBS, camp, or everyday tasks, do it all in a way that brings glory to His name! 

Greetings from VBS!

A few weeks ago, I attended my first VBS training event of the year. We are so excited about Amazing Wonders Aviation! I really love the theme verse for this year. It so clearly teaches kids about how powerful our God is but also how much understanding He has for his people. 

"Our Lord is great, vast in power; His understanding is infinite." - Psalm 147:5

The VBS event was so much fun! I had a great time on the road trip to Ridgecrest, helping JE hang 5 huge globes in the Registration area, and meeting all of the VBS fanatics!

Here are some fun pictures from VBS Events:

Jen Hall, our camp intern, loves to travel and be a part of VBS events. She will direct CK2 at Campbellsville this summer. Keep up with Jen via twitter.

Video interview about the VBS ideation process

The process of preparing for VBS is a fascinating journey... check out this interview where Andy from CentriKid asks Jerry Wooley about the ideation process.

Learn more about LifeWay's VBS online, or by watching Jerry explain Amazing Wonders Aviation in 67 seconds!

Keep up with all the VBS news and ideas on the VBS blog, and there's still time to sign up for one of the VBS Preview events.

Andy Dukes serves as a Camp Specialist and works closely with Jerry and our VBS Preview Events. Dukes loves to work on his iPad... so look for him with an iPad if you're going to one of our VBS events this winter. If not, keep up with Dukes' travels on twitter.

How VBS Got It's Start

We got the chance to catch up with Jerry Wooley and ask him to tell us the story of how VBS got started. If you haven't heard the story, I think you'll agree its a pretty fascinating one. Our CentriKid Camps team has the priviledge of working with Jerry and partnering with him and the VBS team to execute our VBS Preview Events that happen at the beginning of every year. For more information about these awesome events, visit www.lifeway.com/vbs.

Its a Big Week for LifeWay Kids

This week has been a big one for LifeWay Kids ... the first weeks of camp are beginning with CentriKid Camps and many churches are holding VBS.  The 2012 VBS Theme was released and registration opened for the VBS Previews this winter.  

Also, we've been sharing lots of details about the Kids Ministry Conference in October.  The Kids Conference is coming back to Nashville this year and will take place in the LifeWay headquarters!  We are thrilled to invite all of you for this premiere conference on children's ministry.  The worship sessions will be inspiring and refreshing.  Read about the workshops and the variety of topics.  You will be challenged and encouraged.

Don't miss out on seeing the Duggars, Ed Stetzer, Jon Acuff, Angie Smith, and Tim Elmore!  

There's even a contest with prizes happening on the Kids Ministry 101 blog tomorrow!

2011 VBS Flash Drives |For Sale|

Didn't get to make it to this year's VBS Preview event? Don't worry, we've got your covered. Our team has loaded tons of resources and memories from this year's event onto a flash drive, including interviews with Jeff Slaughter & Andrew Mann (NAMB Missionary from New York), resources to take your Worship Rally to the next level, great decorating tips and ideas, and much more. 

Flash Drives are only $20 each.

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How do I order?

Simply email centrikid@lifeway.com with the following information:

Your Name
Complete Shipping Address
Contact Cell Phone Number
Subject Line of Email- My Order: 2011 VBS Flash Drive

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How do I pay? 

Payment preferred via check made payable to "LifeWay Christian Resources"

Mail to:

ATTN: Andy Dukes
One LifeWay Plaza
Nashville, TN 37234-0182

Let us know if you are unable to pay by check, and we can call you for credit card payment information. Don't worry about shipping costs, it's on us!