New York partnership sets stage for VBS training

MORRISTOWN, New Jersey ? Ten churches affiliated with the New York Baptist Association gathered at Madison Baptist Church in Morristown, New Jersey for a Vacation Bible School training clinic hosted by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, May 2.

As a part of its partnership with New Hope, New York, NAMB Strategic Focus Cities, the SBTC provided staff and laypeople to equip 60 New York Baptists, including VBS directors, small group leaders, and Bible study teachers, to lead VBS in their home church.

The May 2 clinic was one of 25 training events the SBTC has offered throughout Texas and other states, said Jim Wolfe, SBTC church ministry support director.

“Our prayer is to enhance the kingdom,” Wolfe said, noting that VBS is one of the most effective evangelistic tools in church ministry. “We want to see churches in every state grow as a result of children being reached for Christ.”

VBS statistics for 2001 boast 100,000 professions of faith. Additionally, 47,000 people enrolled in Sunday School as a result of VBS.

Although VBS is a ministry traditionally considered only for children, Marshall Johnson, associate pastor of Woodlake Baptist Church in Carrollton, believes VBS is a ministry for the entire family.

“VBS is not something for our kids to do. Kids are already busy enough. If it’s just for our kids in our churches, then we are missing the point,” Johnson said. He was one of four team leaders sent by the SBTC to the training clinic. “More people have come to know Jesus through VBS than any other church event.”

Johnson also noted that according to 2001 statistics, about 6,000 people surrendered to full-time ministry at VBS while 25 percent of baptisms in Southern Baptist churches last year were the result of VBS.

While VBS is a “fun-filled spiritual adventure for boys and girls,” featuring Bible study and life applications, Johnson added that “the intention of VBS is to reach all people of all ages leading them to know and respond to Jesus Christ.”

The VBS theme for 2003 is the Great Kingdom Caper: Cracking the Character Code. Children (sleuths) will investigate the Word of God and find clues on how to live in Christlikeness. Following the lead of Colossians 3:12-14, character traits to be investigated during VBS include compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, endurance, forgiveness, and love.

“This year VBS talks about character traits people should have in their lives,” Johnson said, noting that these characteristics are not normally apparent in humanity. “This happens as the Lord moves into our hearts. Once we get into God’s Word and get into a relationship with him, he changes us. That’s what the Great Kingdom Caper is all about. It follows the theme of digging into God’s Word and finding the truths it has for us.”

Vickey Bloodworth, of College Baptist Church in Big Spring, acted as children’s training leader for the clinic. With a VBS career of 28 years, Bloodsworth has directed VBS for five years in Texas, Mexico, Idaho, and Missiouri.

Although Bloodworth led a small group for teachers of kindergarten through the age of nine, she believes “no matter what age sleuth you teach, the Great Kingdom Caper will help him or her discover some very important truths about Christian character.”

“The Bible content for VBS will help boys and girls learn how God wants them to live,” she said, noting that both boys and girls need to learn the spiritual foundations available in the Bible. “We as Christians have to go an extra mile to get [children] excited about the Word of God.”

Children and VBS participants will not only be exposed to Christian character, but as a part of VBS activities, they will have an opportunity to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. While many churches set aside a specific time for their pastor to share the message with children, teachers and team leaders should also be prepared to share their testimony, Johnson said.

Among the many questions Johnson and other team leaders fielded during the day-long clinic, the veracity and how-to’s of child evangelism topped the list.

Johnson noted that because children are social beings and eager to please adults, some who desire to make professions of faith during VBS might not fully understand the gospel message.

“We need to be careful when we are working with children that we don’t encourage them to do something they aren’t ready to do,” he said, noting that one way to determine the validity of a child’s response is to ask the question “What is sin?”