We have been having great conversations, and enthusiasm is mounting around LifeWay’s new Backyard Kids Club resource.

If you are at CPC this week, I’d love for you to stop by the LifeWay booth and let me personally introduce you to this exciting new resource.

If you are unable to stop by, never fear! You too can explore Backyard Kids Club resource at LifeWay.com/vbs.

If you haven’t already registered there are just a few spots left so sign up today by clicking here!

Constanza, our terrific on-camera host, listens to the English music and watches the choreography DVD. Then, she learns the Spanish songs and alters the choreography as needed. (Sometimes, there is no Spanish word that exactly matches the English word, so the songs and choreography have to be altered.)

The DVD is available in the Spanish Sampler (EBV 2013 Muestrario en español), product number 005490073, $69.99. Be sure to share this news with your Spanish congregations!

Colossal Coaster World Choreography in Espanol! from LifeWay VBS on Vimeo.

This will be our last post on this blog, so say your farewells!

I thought this was cute and a great idea for a kids’ table at Thanksgiving or any other event. Chalkboard place mats can keep kids busy while the adults eat and fellowship.

“I have a wonderful report for FBC Winters (California) Amazing Wonders Aviation VBS this year! We had a total of 69 children attend AWA VBS in June, which we conducted as a 5-day, 3-hour evening program. The kids had a ton of fun, of course, but the most exciting news is that 20 children were saved during VBS this year. Praise The Lord!

My volunteer staff of 55 workers and I really enjoyed the aviation theme this year. We’ve all been flying high for Jesus ever since, along with plenty of the VBS kids. With prayer and staff evaluations guiding me, I decided to extend 2012 VBS with a weekly summer VBS program, held on Wednesday nights for eight weeks. The attendance of this ‘pilot’ project was also a success, with an average of 15-20 children attending each week.

This has lead to a new ministry at FBCW for elementary age children – Wacky Wednesdays! There has been a ton of support from the FBCW congregation to get Wacky Wednesdays up and flying. A unanimous vote at our church business meeting to approve this new ministry, hundreds of dollars in designaed donations, snacks provided by our church food closet, and a talented volunteer teaching staff have Wacky Wednesdays taking off! Now, every Wednesday night from 6:30 – 7:30, the children of the Winters community have an opportunity to worship The Lord at an abbreviated VBS-style evening program. All because God’s good and faithful servants have once again come together to do His work.

FBC Winters LOVES VBS!

Sincerely,

Julie

VBS Director”

Julie, to you and the thousands of leaders (faithful servants) who make VBS possible – THANK YOU!

What did you learn about the VBS theme development process that you wish everyone knew? The personal commitment and care each of the LifeWay VBS team members exhibits to get the best possible theme. Each are burdened with the impact their work has on evangelism in the local church. They do not take the job lightly and put forth every effort and much personal sacrifice to get it right.

What was the most surprising thing about VBS theme development that you learned by being part of the Think Tank? As part of our orientation, we did a scavenger hunt around LifeWay to see how each division works to make a VBS theme successful. Needless to say, we had to go to almost every department! VBS requires the involvement and synergistic relationship with almost everyone at LifeWay. Those who do not personally touch a VBS item are most definitely aware and in prayer for its success. Considering the number of employees at LifeWay, this is HUGE!

What advice would you give to anyone who is invited to a future VBS Think Tank? If you are invited, say YES! Bring as many creative ideas as you can, but don’t be married to one idea. There are many reasons why a theme doesn’t make it to print so go with an open mind, a willing heart, and the ability to think ‘outside the box.’ It is a blessing to have had a very small part in the big VBS picture.

Seth came to visit us here in Nashville back in July to be part of our catalog and promotional video shoots for Colossal Coaster World and was a wonderfully enthusiastic participant!  We had so much fun with Seth that we even took him down to our crazy storage area (and one of our most favorite places) known as “The Cage” to let him get a glimpse of Vacation Bible School sets and props from the past.  It’s like our own VBS vault!

Stay tuned to our blog for a very special video interview with Seth and our own Andy Dukes soon!

Joyce Frazier

Well, Autumn officially begins tomorrow–September 22. And in Tennessee, that means cooler, shorter days; God’s handiwork manifested in all nature around us; and lots and lots of football. Also, we begin to see the arrival of wonderful homemade delicacies, perfected in the South, that can only be seen at this time of year.  Being in a Fall frame of mind, I decided to poll some of my VBS teammates to determine a few of their favorite things!

—

Lynne Norris

Favorite Fall scene?  A chilly morning in Cades Cove (NOTE: Cades Cove is in the Great Smoky Mountains.)

Favorite Fall sound?  a crackling fire

Favorite Fall scent?  a spiced apple candle 

Favorite Fall treat?  homemade soup

—

Debbie Ruth

Favorite Fall scene? watching a University of Tennessee football game (It’s football time in Tennessee!)

Favorite Fall sound? a crackling campfire, kids playing outside

Favorite Fall scent? anything cinnamon

Favorite Fall treat? going to an outdoor craft festival; my mom’s homemade apple butter

—

Rhonda VanCleave

Favorite Fall scene? yellow leaves on a tree against an October blue sky

Favorite Fall sound? the whistle of a football ref to start the game

Favorite Fall scent? cinnamon

Favorite Fall treat? candy corn or anything pumpkin

These are just a few of my favorite things about fall—homemade chili; viewing miles and miles of beautiful leaves; going to the pumpkin patch with my 7-year-old grandson; seeing early-morning or late-afternoon fog lifting from the surrounding hills and mountains; cinnamon, apple, and pumpkin smells all around me; fresh Fall vegetables and fruit; the chill of a cool morning; the sound of kids playing in freshly-raked leaves; the warmth of a roaring fire in the fireplace; and the fact that my mowing days are over until next year!!!!

I don’t know what Fall looks like in your little corner of the world, but I just can’t believe  that it could be any more beautiful than it is here in Tennessee.

Let us hear from you. Feel free to answer our questions about your favorite things and maybe attach a photo or two of you enjoying this time of year.