Say aloha to the 2008 Vacation Bible School theme.
Barry Brown, pastor at Mountain View Baptist Church, Walhalla, teaches VBS theme song motions to participants at the State VBS Clinic.Colorful shirts, flowers, flip flops and ukuleles will abound in churches this summer as VBS is landing on the beach with the tropical theme “Outrigger Island.” The material, published by LifeWay, draws influence from the outrigger of a canoe that provides stability in rough waters.
Representatives from 30 Baptist associations gathered Feb. 16 at White Oak Conference Center to become familiar with the new theme and to prepare to teach the material at their individual associational VBS clinics around the state.
“The purpose of this event is to prepare you to go into your clinic and your association,” Sue Harmon, childhood ministry group associate director, South Carolina Baptist Convention, told the representatives. “We want you to be excited and think ‘I can do that.’?”
Participants could pick from a number of core conferences and skill workshops to attend, ranging from age-specific areas to crafts, music and missions. Conferences were also offered in promoting VBS to the community, enlisting volunteers and preparing youth to be workers, among others.
In addition, participants could also sample theme-appropriate snacks such as tropical trail mix and ocean oyster crackers and see examples of crafts and decorations.
The theme verse for this year’s VBS is Psalm 86:11, “Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth” (HCSV).
“Each day in VBS, we will focus on one of God’s unshakable truths,” said Harmon.
Sue Harmon laughs with participants.The Bible studies will focus on who God is, who Jesus is, the importance of scripture, and how actions show what Christians believe.
Last year, 85 percent of Baptist churches in South Carolina held Vacation Bible Schools, with approximately 7,100 people accepting Christ.
“It is not just fun, it is ministry,” Harmon reminded clinic participants.
“The effectiveness of VBS is the Holy Spirit’s work. But God uses well-prepared people to do his work,” said Harmon.
And as a result, thousands of South Carolinians will learn to live the 2008 VBS motto: “Know the truth. Speak the truth. Live the truth.”
For more information on Vacation Bible School, contact the childhood ministry group at (800) 723-7242, ext. 4100. Contact local associations for more information on training clinics.