Year after year, churches indicate their greatest need for Vacation Bible School is help with follow-up.
“What takes place after VBS is just as important as anything that happens during the week,” said Mike Smith of the leadership and evangelism area of LifeWay Christian Resources. He said the first step to successful evangelistic follow-up is to have a VBS follow-up director.
“The follow-up director makes certain every child is remembered after the week,” Smith said. This is especially important for children who are not already a part of the church. The weeks soon after VBS may be the only time a church member is welcome in the home of an unchurched family”
Smith listed a number of follow-up strategies:
– Have a fun and evangelistic family night.
– Follow up with the Children’s Music Series. “The children always love the music at VBS, and the CMS is a great way to keep them excited about music,” Smith said.
– Use the aids in the VBS administrative guide.
– Gather accurate and sufficient information on every VBS participant.
– Determine follow-up ahead of time.
– Immediately after VBS, activate follow-up teams.
– Send information about the church directly to the homes.
– Connect everyone in the family with the appropriate Sunday school class.
– Celebrate the results of VBS during a Sunday morning worship service. “Do the music, have testimonies and have a VBS-themed sermon,” Smith said.
Smith also recommended the resources “Leading a Child to Christ” and “More to Life.”