VBS motto modeled by students to help Heard County church with VBS

Sherri Brown

Kimberly Nolan, in the foreground at right, teaches sign language to a group of children at Concord Church in LaGrange with Ally Edge, 20, a student at Valdosta State University. Edge and Nolan, who attends Truett-McConnell, were two of eight summer missionaries that traveled through Georgia helping churches lead Vacation Bible Schools in a pilot project jointly sponsored by the Georgia Baptist Convention and LifeWay.

Nobody remembers exactly when the last Vacation Bible School was held at Concord Church in LaGrange. Long-time members say it was at least eight or nine years ago and five people showed up for the event.

But this year, with a little help from new friends, Concord took 72 people on a Ramblin' Road Trip.

Earlier this year only four or five people attended weekly prayer meetings at the white clapboard church building located on the edge of Troup County.

"But God began moving in their hearts," said Concord pastor Billy McCollough. "We start- ed praying for revival. We started using the FAITH Sunday School strategy and people started coming [to church]."

During an April church business meeting someone brought up the possibility of holding a Vacation Bible School.

"The church voted overwhelmingly to do it. But that was a little late to get started," McCollough admitted. "I started yelling for some help."

Sherri Brown

He went to his brother, Troup associational missionary Aaron McCollough, who knew where to find the help.

GBC, LifeWay partner for aid

This year, for the first time, the Georgia Baptist Convention and Lifeway partnered to provide Vacation Bible School aid for churches like Concord.

"We believe Vacation Bible School is a strong way to locate prospects, increase baptisms and grow a Sunday School. So we're involved in this pilot project," said Sue Rother, consultant with Sunday School/Open Group Ministries at GBC.

Four summer mission teams of two each were sent around the state to help churches who had not held a Vacation Bible School in at least two years. The summer missionaries were trained to lead and organize VBS events in churches using either of the two Lifeway resources: Ramblin' Road Trip, the full VBS program, and Beach Blast, a VBS designed for smaller churches.

Sherri Brown

Candie Paschal, 22, a student at Valdosta State University, teaches a VBS missions class at Concord Church in LaGrange. Paschal was one of eight summer missionaries working in Georgia to help churches host Vacation Bible Schools.

"Churches sometimes need someone to come and help them work through the steps for having VBS when they're not used to having it. It's a wonderful project and Georgia is doing a great job with it," said Sharon Smith, southern central region network specialist for Lifeway.

Because of a change in scheduling, Concord church had four summer missionaries helping them for the five day VBS.

A benefit for all churches

"It has really been a benefit. I never dreamed VBS would go this far this year," admitted McCollough. "Someone pulled an RV into the church yard. We had tents set up for the kids. We've got a Sunday School prospect list that's gone to our FAITH teams. I'm pretty sure we'll be doing this again next year. We'll just start a little earlier planning it."

A week later the same four college students were in the next county - Heard - helping Glen Church, where the majority of those who attend on Sunday morning are children.

"No one can remember having a VBS here," said Chad Bishop, pastor of Glen Church since March. "We've got a lot of kids in the neighborhood. I knew VBS would be the best way to reach them."

The church changed the date for VBS when they heard summer missionaries were available. The extra four sets of hands gave the church - which averages about 40 each Sunday - a big boost.

"The missionaries have helped with planning and giving us ides for decorating. They're also leading the large group worship time," Bishop said

The church chose the Beach Blast curriculum, so the student missionaries donned flip-flops and sunglasses for the week.

"We've been doing a little of everything this summer. You have to be over-prepared. We've planned the schedules, prepared crafts, done registration, chosen classrooms, taught classes, just whatever they need. Each situation is different," said Ally Edge, 20, a Valdosta State University student.

The final results aren't in yet, but the project looks like a success.

"We'll evaluate the project at the end of the summer," Rother said. "Then we'll determine if we do it again. We've learned this year. I feel like it's going well. We need to do this again."

Sherri Brown

A sign advertises VBS at Glen Church in Heard County. With the help of four summer missionaries, the church held its first VBS in more than ten years.

Sherri Brown

The "campfire" during the Ramblin' Road Trip fascinated at least one participant at Concord Church in LaGrange. Although the church hasn't held a VBS in years, with a little help, they went all out to provide the best road trip they could.

Sherri Brown

Candie Paschal, left, Kimberly Nolan, 19, Truett-McConnell College student, and Bonnie Hunter, 20, from University of West Georgia, introduce VBS Beach Blast songs at Glen Church in Heard County.

Sherri Brown

Surrounded by posters of faraway places, this preschooler listened intently to the missionary story.