October 8, 2024
Summer may be over, but the impact of Vacation Bible Schools held at Georgia Baptist churches will carry far into the future. Krista Staton, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s kids ministry consultant, reports that this year more than 1,400 children made commitments to Christ at churches large and small across the state. “It has been so exciting to hear stories from all over the state about Vacation Bible School,” she said. “We have seen increased numbers at trainings, increased numbers in attendance in churches, and increased salvations among children.”
1025 Church in Monroe, Ga., saw 612 children enroll in their VBS, and 35 professed faith in Christ. “The key to the success of our VBS has always been prayers, promotions, preparation, and people,” said Tommy Fountain, Sr., the senior pastor at 1025 Church. “We have a very strong intentional Gospel presentation,” he added, “led by me and our Campus Pastor Jo Jo Leach.”
Fountain said one factor that contributes to the success of the VBS is preparation. “VBS leaders start preparing very early,” Fountain said. “Led by VBS Director Dianne Fountain, Children's Director Melissa Krumpach, Crafts Director Megan Chambers, and Lead Decorator Jessica Lanier, the campus is decorated several weeks before VBS starts.”
The church finds ways to encourage the children in the community to attend. Each night of VBS, a bus picks up children living in the housing authorities and brings them to the church. Also, a nightly meal is provided for VBS workers and students.
Fountain also credits the Lifeway curriculum, saying “it lends itself to a rotation schedule which allows the students to stay more active and more engaged.”
Palmetto Baptist Church held its VBS in early June, with an average daily attendance of 227 children. Michelle Gaddy, the children’s minister, says the church also provided free meals for the families prior to each evening’s activities.
“We strive to grow organic relationships with each child who attends,” Gaddy said. “We know their names and take interest in them. We wanted them to feel safe and comfortable here so that learning God's word would flow naturally.”
Gaddy said that many 2nd and 3rd graders had questions about salvation, and 15 of them followed up with conversations with the pastor. “I believe that they were beginning to grasp the concept and wanting more information,” Gaddy explained, though none were ultimately baptized. “We would never pressure a child that did not understand or was saved out of peer pressure.”
Gaddy attributes the success of their VBS to the volunteers. She remarked that despite working long days, they still showed up with a willingness to serve and jump in wherever there was a need.
Ultimately, successfully organizing and running Vacation Bible School takes preparation, commitment, energy, willing volunteers, and more. “1025 Church makes VBS a major priority,” Fountain said, “and we work it all year long.”
