By Jeremy Carroll
Every VBS leader I’ve known wants the same thing: a fun week that points kids to Jesus! Elevating your VBS often is not about adding more to your schedule but refining what you already do well. Here are five tips to get R.E.A.D.Y. for your VBS.
R — Refresh Your First Impression Zone
Before kids hear the first Bible story, they (and their parents) will have a first impression. Clear signage and smiling, friendly greeters help parents feel confident and kids relax. Within the first five minutes, parents and kids can enter your VBS feeling calm and comfortable, starting your day off well!
E — Encourage Volunteers to Elevate Relationships
Because VBS is typically only a few short days, maximizing opportunities to help kids feel valued and loved will leave a lasting impression. Learn each kids’ name. Celebrate with high fives. Ensure no child is left out of activities. Help your volunteers to prioritize relational connection over “just getting through everything.”
A — Anchor Everything to Biblical Truth
With many moving parts, VBS can feel like a blur. A simple, yet often overlooked tip, is making sure every rotation, game, activity, and conversation clearly reinforces the Bible. Anchoring each moment to the biblical content consistently throughout the day creates a connection thread that will bring additional meaning to each experience and reinforce the goal for VBS.
D — Dedicate Energy to Volunteer Encouragement
There is a saying in kids ministry that I see around social media every summer: “there’s no tired like VBS tired.” Our volunteers who help us make VBS happen can become weary. A simple word of encouragement, a daily prayer huddle, or a midweek thank you can help reset the tone of the VBS team. Volunteers who feel seen and appreciated serve better—and will likely come back next year.
Y — Say YES to VBS (For the Win!)
Ok, some of you just started singing the old VBS song (and that is TOTALLY ok 😉). Maybe you don’t know that song, but part of its goal was to be a reminder of the F-U-N of VBS. VBS is an amazing week of gospel-centered moments and relational connection, but let’s not forget to help kids have some fun along the way—for the win! Whether it’s fun costumes, music parties in the hallway, or an abundance of bubble machines, help kids see that God’s family is a place where joy thrives!
You’re Ready for VBS!
You are on your way to being R.E.A.D.Y. for this year’s VBS!
About the Author
Jeremy Carroll is the Manager of Lifeway Kids Hyfi, VBS, and Kids Discipleship. He has a bachelor’s from Middle Tennessee State University and a master’s in Christian education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Having the opportunity to create and provide ministry leaders with high quality resources is Jeremy’s passion. In his free time, Jeremy loves spending time with his family and learning new tech skills. A Middle Tennessee native, he and his family live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
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