Whether you’re up for an aloha-style adventure to live God’s unshakeable truth or a trail-blazing trip through the Wild West, LifeWay has a Vacation Bible School option for 2008 that will meet your outreach needs. “Outrigger Island: Living God’s Unshakeable Truth” and “Club VBS: Cactus Canyon” are the VBS themes for 2008.
Both themes were introduced to the audience at the Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio, Tex., June 12-13.
Set in a tropical paradise, LifeWay’s main VBS line will take the children, youth and adults to Outrigger Island, where they will learn to know, speak and live God’s truth. Based on Psalm 86:11 – “Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth” – this tropical adventure will help participants develop the stability they need to become unshakeable in a world of shifting sands.
Outrigger Island is for all ages and follows a traditional VBS schedule with three-hour sessions throughout a weeklong summer program. Churches have dozens of options for curriculum, crafts, decorations, snacks and recreation in this line.
In “Club VBS: Cactus Canyon,” kids will saddle up and hit the trail. They will learn all about the good news in John 3:16 – “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” – and how they can tell family, friends, and people around the world about Jesus.
Cactus Canyon resources for 2008 include a new starter kit that will provide administrative, worship rally and leader guides for each of three age groups: 3-K, grades 1-3 and grades 4-6. With a shorter two-hour schedule, Club VBS is designed to adapt to multiple settings so it can be used during a traditional summer week, school breaks, mission trips or day camps, among other times.
“Outrigger Island and Cactus Canyon are some of the best themes we’ve ever had for VBS,” said Mary Katharine Hunt, who manages LifeWay’s preschool and children’s ministry area, which includes VBS. “I think the children will not only have a great time visiting Outrigger Island and Cactus Canyon, but they also will learn about how God’s truth never changes and how much he loves them.
“The children learn God’s truth because LifeWay’s VBS is always based on God’s word. We are intentional in planning VBS to be so much more than just a fun time.”
“Whether you choose Outrigger Island or Cactus Canyon, the key is to emphasize the evangelistic aspect of VBS,” said Jerry Wooley, LifeWay’s VBS ministry specialist, pointing out that 26 percent of Southern Baptist baptisms in 2006 came as a direct result of VBS. “What else would you do next summer that will have as much evangelistic potential as VBS?”
On Aug. 15, LifeWay will launch www.lifeway.com/vbs to offer information and resources related to both VBS lines. Messengers to the SBC received information and promotional materials to take back to their churches. The complete curricula will go on sale Dec. 1. Selected Outrigger Island promotional materials will be available Oct. 1.