[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
What a thrill to innovate Group\u2019s VBS for 25 years!<\/p>\n
However.<\/p>\n
Innovation equates with failures, bloopers, and trial runs. Maybe that\u2019s what led to Group\u2019s popular \u201cfield test findings\u201d found in every station leader guide. We take you \u201cbackstage,\u201d get vulnerable, and make the mistakes so you don\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n
We also value field testing with real kids and real leaders. We painstakingly get feedback on each activity, each question, each Bible point. We want to know what worked and what didn\u2019t work. We take that information to design a VBS guaranteed to bring your kids closer to Jesus.<\/p>\n
Just for fun, I looked back and thought I\u2019d share how Group\u2019s VBS has evolved. Thanks to thousands of dedicated leaders willing to give us honest feedback, we\u2019ve innovated to learn a boatload! For example…<\/p>\n
\u2014PACKAGING:<\/strong>\u00a0Vacation Bible Ship arrived in an oh-so-clever 3-D cardboard cruise ship! Cute, but flimsy, tricky to construct, and hard to store. Sunk that idea.<\/p>\n TODAY<\/strong>: Sturdy, compact, colorful, collectible cans.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”33536″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\u2014THEME SONG:<\/b>\u00a0Why did we ever think adding a new verse every day would catch on? Everyone was ready for the song to be over\u2014way too soon. Farewell to \u201cWelcome aboard, it\u2019s time for us to take a trip. Welcome aboard on the Vacation Bible Ship…\u201d<\/p>\n TODAY<\/strong>: Now our VBS brings some of the world\u2019s most popular Christian music kids, families, and children\u2019s ministers sing all year long![\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/eI302Av7vSI”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\u2014CRAFTS:<\/b>\u00a0Easy! Leaders needed only one craft item that morphed all week. Anyone remember Brite-tites? (Brightly colored recycled pantyhose\u2014I can hardly write this without laughing out loud.) They did creatively transform into koosh balls, tennis rackets, and crazy ball tosses. But VBS leaders (and kids) wanted something different to stretch their creativity.<\/p>\n TODAY<\/strong>: Static crafts transformed into Imagination Station with sciency-fun gizmos kids interact and play with, using STEM-like imagination and energy.[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”33511,33510,33515″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\u2014VIDEO:<\/strong>\u00a0Knowing kids like videos, we wrote cliff-hanger video episodes relying on Chadder, a furry chipmunk puppet. As charming as Chadder and his escapades were\u2014Thom even showed up in a few\u2014times have changed savvy viewers\u2019 expectations.<\/p>\n TODAY:<\/strong>\u00a0KidVid Cinema captures real kids\u2019 lives on screen, bringing the real world into your VBS. Leaders challenge kids with real kids\u2019 stories and Scripture bringing Bible points to life. (For nostalgia\u2019s sake, Chadder lives on at Lifetree Kids YouTube.<\/a> \ud83d\ude0a)<\/p>\n \u2014THEME-WEAR:<\/b>\u00a0Every person got a bright orange plastic vest to wear! Nice and sweaty-hot for those sweltering summer days. They were supposed to be pretend \u201clife vests.\u201d Deadly.<\/p>\n TODAY:<\/strong> Kids can enjoy fun-loving designs on \u201ccooler\u201d t-shirts. And leaders can get fun colored Staff T-shirts so they\u2019re easy to spot in your VBS crowd.<\/p>\n Well, the list can go on and on. Twenty-five years and millions of kids make for many opportunities to change.<\/p>\n However.<\/p>\n \u2014JESUS<\/strong>: Remember: \u201cJesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever\u201d (Hebrews 13:8). With Group, our relentless mission means we create experiences to help people grow in relationship with Jesus and each other. VBS brings Jesus to nearly two-thirds of America\u2019s population each year.<\/p>\n \u2014ONE BIBLE POINT:<\/strong> each day. Every simple, unforgettable, life-relevant scriptural truth gets reinforced through every song, game, imagination station, snack, video, and Bible experience. Everything cements one clear kid-connected message so it lasts and emerges when the Holy Spirit flows. We\u2019re blessed with your stories of God\u2019s goodness, like these:<\/p>\n *A mom overheard her second-grader talking with his younger sister, who was scared to sleep alone in her new bed. He comforted her by reminding her, \u201cWhen life changes, God is good so you don\u2019t need to be scared.\u201d<\/p>\n *A family on the brink of divorce who faced addiction, marital infidelity, and brokenness discovered Jesus. They were covered in prayer after their daughter attending VBS accepted Christ. The church invited her family to visit. Knowing they needed a change, the family came to church, became baptized members of the church, and restored their lives!<\/p>\n *A marine endured \u201cHell\u201d week because of a VBS he attended as a child! He told his children\u2019s minister he made it through Hell week singing \u201cI Will Not Be Afraid,\u201d the theme song from Crocodile Dock!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1573076522209{margin-top: -20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”33520″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]\u2014INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:<\/strong> Small, multi-age \u201ccrews\u201d led by caring teen or adult leaders create a safe, fun atmosphere. Kids are known by name\u2014they can\u2019t get lost in a crowd. They get real \u201cresponsibilities\u201d with necessary roles. They hear and share real-life examples of how the Bible point matters in their day-to-day lives. Jesus becomes really real as a friend through human friendships.<\/p>\n \u2014SERVING IN GIFTEDNESS:<\/strong> Unlike a traditional classroom where the teacher needs to resemble a Swiss Army knife expected to do a little bit of everything, Group\u2019s VBS simply requires people to serve where they\u2019re passionate. Do you like sports? Lead games. Beckoning your inner chef? Help with snacks. Budding Picasso? Do decorations. Love the Bible? Lead kids in experiencing God\u2019s story. And when people serve how God made them, they gladly return year after year.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”33523″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Twenty-five years sounds like a long time, but in God\u2019s eyes, it\u2019s flown. Thank YOU for partnering with Group in bringing kids, adults, and families the BEST gift of all\u2014 JESUS!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joy!<\/p>\n Joani Schultz[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”33384″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Pre-order your Rocky Railway VBS Ultimate Starter Kit <\/a>and get a FREE 16-piece Rocky Railway Express Train kit!<\/strong>\u00a0Hurry, supplies are limited.<\/p>\n Rocky Railway VBS Ultimate Starter Kit<\/span><\/strong><\/a>Something\u2019s NOT changed:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nStarting at $193.99<\/strong>
\nIn Canada $259.99[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”33464″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Pre-ordered your Wilderness Escape <\/a>VBS Ultimate Starter Kit<\/a> today!<\/p>\n