I dreamed that you’ve been reading my blogs about organizing and conducting a Vacation Bible School (VBS) overseas. In fact you liked the idea and have built up enthusiasm and desire to form a VBS team from your church. But then, in my dream, you faltered not knowing what to do next, how to proceed. When I woke up, I immediately sat down to help give you answers to those questions.

• Share your zest for VBS with church leadership and get their blessing to conduct a VBS overseas.

• Involve your congregation or potential pool of team members from the beginning. That means sharing your vision of a VBS overseas with them.

• Identify the needs (ideas for lessons, craft ideas, indoor and outdoor game suggestions etc.) Get people to volunteer to help with some aspects of the mission. Get them “hooked in.”

• Keep the “church” informed of your progress. Place an announcement in the church bulletin, or use a simple hand-out if your church doesn’t have a bulletin. Make your progress a part of the church website. Simple reports in a local paper can broaden your appeal to many others, even the unchurched.

Make each step a newsworthy event. Such as:

• The church deciding to conduct a VBS overseas.

• Initial exploration of possible VBS sites in Romania (for example).

• Selection of the VBS site. Describe the church and community. Explain why it is a good site and how a VBS at that site can help spread the word of Jesus Christ to children in that area.

• Even though an event may seem small to you in the big picture, make it a major step in the accomplishment of your vision. Keep everyone informed to generate enthusiasm and support for the VBS team.

“Make even small steps forward a “big deal” as you inform others about your progress.”

• As people show interest, get them involved the planning process; the generation of ideas, and the preparation of materials.

• Issue general invitation to participate. Write personal notes to possibly interested people asking them to join your team. Friends and relatives should be considered also.

• Emphasize the importance of being part of this “cutting edge” project for your church. Like the apostle Paul, they will be helping spread the grace and love of Jesus to others.

“Emphasize the importance of being part of this “cutting edge” project for your church.”

• Have formal team meetings/training sessions that continue to build enthusiasm, such as – learning basic language phrases, learning about the history, customs, and mores of the VBS location, and sight-seeing opportunities during and after the VBS.

• Maintain a two way flow of communication with the church selected for VBS. Let them know of your progress and desire to work together to present a VBS for the children in their church area.

• Describe the feeling others have had – a “life changing” experience. It is not just about our influence on the children, but also about our influence on each other that makes people want to have the experience again and again.

Remember, you don’t need a huge team, just 5 – 6 people to make a dramatic impact on a church. That is quite doable. You can do it!

More detail can be found in my books available on Amazon.com.

Organizing and Conducting a Vacation Bible School Overseas

Have You Started Yet?

Next week: The Discarded People