A VBS Overflowing
with Love
by Sally Taylor, Children's Ministry Director
Centreville United Methodist Church, Centreville, Virginia

We were three weeks from the start of our Vacation Bible School when I noticed that the pile of forms in the "Completed Registrations" box looked thicker than I had expected at that stage. I knew we could enroll a maximum of 320 to 330 children. I counted, nervously reassuring myself that we couldn't have maxed out already. The count was 312, and we were facing the heaviest enrollment period. What a wonderful problem to have -- too many children wanting to come and learn about God!

In years past, our Vacation Bible School had an enthusiastic response from church members and the community. But never had we filled our enrollment until the week before VBS. This year, we had more than 50 children on a waiting list! When the weeklong program was over and the dust had settled, we looked back to consider what factors played a part in this year's enrollment "tidal wave." These details rose to the surface:

• Our VBS program has a good reputation. We realize that it is an important church program -- an introduction to our church for many newcomers -- so we give it the time and budget it deserves. Because it is always held the same week each summer (mornings of the week right after the July 4 holiday), families automatically include it in their summer plans.

• We work to maintain a low ratio of children to helpers. This summer, there were 330 children enrolled and 105 adult and youth helpers. The helpers have as much fun as the children, and they look forward to helping from year to year. That kind of enthusiasm fuels the enrollment figures as word spreads all during the year that ours is an event not to be missed.

• Publicity with pizzazz is important. We began four months ahead getting information out to the congregation about VBS. But we knew the publicity had to be "zippy" (as one child put it). Summertime VBS programs have a lot of competition outside the church -- video games, shopping malls, swimming pools, and so on. A VBS must be publicized with enough "whiz-bang" excitement and enthusiasm to attract prospective students and parents.

• Finally, our church overall is growing rapidly, due in part to the demographics of the young suburban community in which we are located. Many of our church programs are growing along with our VBS, and some nearby churches can't make the same claim.

Whatever it was that blessed our vacation Bible school program, we are very grateful. To see God working among so many young children at once is a thrill beyond description. Our vacation Bible school overflowed with God's love.