Your comprehensive guide to 2012’s Vacation Bible School offerings

CONTENT AND CONTACTS FOR 20 DIFFERENT VBS PROGRAMS

PR O D U CT G U I D ENovember 2011Presented by CHRISTIAN RETAILING®

PR O D U CT G U I D E2012 VBS

Vacation Bible School is ‘A KEY SELLING SEASON FOR STORES’

Group Publishing’s Shannon Velasquez (left) and other supplier representatives emphasize how supplying VBS resources can build a bridge between stores and local churches.

PLUS: a step-by-step guide to making your store ‘VBS Headquarters.’

More details from page 3

ANSWERS IN GENESISABINGDON PRESS

EDITORIAL CONCORDIA

STANDARD PUBLISHING

CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE

KREMER PUBLICATIONS

GO FISH

R.H. BOYD PUBLISHING REGULAR BAPTIST PRESS

BOGARD PRESS

GROUP PUBLISHINGGROUP PUBLISHING

COKESBURY

NORTHWESTERN PUBLISHING

FAITH & LIFE RESOURCES

LIFEWAY LIFEWAY

GOSPEL PUBLISHING HOUSE

URBAN MINISTRIES

GOSPEL LIGHT

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retail guide

Helping churches choose the right VBS programPastors and lay leaders are looking for assistance in selecting the best outreach program

‘How do I choose?’You probably get this question a lot

during the vacation Bible school (VBS) season. Churches want to bring the gos-pel message of Jesus to kids in their com-munities each summer, but they may be confused about which of the many themes offered—and want to know which program will be most effective for their church.

They may ask the same essential question in many different ways: Which theme do you think is the best? Which one would work best for my kids? My volunteers? My community? Which one do you think is the most fun? The most biblically sound? The easiest to deco-rate?

Your store should have the answers. But how do you provide them and build sales at the same time?

TrAIN YoUr TeAmHost a staff meeting with your store

employees to help them understand the VBS programs your store will offer. Have them view the different courses your store will carry. You can dedicate time during an employee meeting, have a VBS-themed day prior to the selling season, let them peruse the VBS kits during slow times at the store or create a fun “training test/scav-enger hunt” for important VBS details they should know.

Many VBS publishers can offer training tools for your employees so that they have a head start on new VBS themes. As you take the time to train your staff, they will become known as the VBS experts in your community. Customers will come back be-cause they know your store will have the answers they need.

CreATe CHeAT SHeeTSCreate an index card that has basic in-

formation on each VBS curriculum. Em-ployees can keep it handy in a pocket or on a lanyard for quick reference. Include key selling points or answers to FAQs that will help them steer church leaders in the right direction.

HoST AN eveNTHold a VBS workshop or open house

at your store. Many VBS publishers offer a representative to visit or a self-present-er pack for hosting a VBS workshop or open house at your store. VBS work-shops or open houses are much better attended when you advertise, so be sure to promote the event throughout your community. Place posters or flyers in grocery stores, restaurants, the library and in church bulletins. Look for fun

places to advertise that will draw past, current and potential new customers.

Do YoUr HomeWorKCreate a “Decision Tree” that breaks

down the ways churches choose and do their VBS. For example: small group vs. large group format, reproducible music vs. nonreproducible, strong Bible content vs. Bible lite, easy-to-decorate vs. more in-volved setup. Summarize each of the major categories that churches use to make their choices, then allow your employees to use this guide when helping customers decide which program is best for their church.

DISPLAY reLATeD reSoUrCeS

Make sure related resources are avail-able in your VBS area, including other books, stickers and activity books, to complement the VBS themes for the season.

CHeCK PrevIoUS SALeSLet churches know what quantities

of VBS supplies they purchased last year. Print an order form already populated with the numbers they ordered last year beside each product. This will give them a good start in ordering for the current year.

mAKe A DISPLAYCreate a VBS display in your store.

Take all the themes and use a piece of each of their decorations. Make it fun, colorful and inviting. Take each preview kit and spread out the items in the kit so that the church can look through it at the store. When customers can see it, touch it and read it, they are more apt to purchase it.

SeND oUT FLYerSCreate a postcard or mailing for each

church that purchased from your store

last year. Send them the VBS flyers or catalogs, and invite them back into your store. If you have a dedicated VBS staff person at your store, give the churches that person’s contact information so that they feel they have a dedicated contact at your store.

GIve AWAY GooDIeSDon’t forget bag stuffers or order

stuffers. Your customers may not be coming in thinking about VBS, but you can generate excitement and interest for it when they open their bag or product order.

vISIT LoCAL CHUrCHeSSpend a day out in your community.

Take some time beforehand to schedule meeting times with your top accounts. You can also stop by churches with whom you’d like to create accounts. Create fun and in-expensive gift bags to take along.

Stop by each church, introduce yourself and ask to talk to the key decision-makers. Make sure to leave the gift for the VBS decision maker. Give the church admin-istrative assistant a small gift, too, maybe a gift certificate or a coupon. Oftentimes the gatekeeper has access to several key decision-makers in a church.

beCome THe eXPerTSProclaim your store the VBS Headquar-

ters for your area. Also, announce that your store has VBS experts on hand who can help churches decide on a VBS theme.

HoLD A CoNTeSTHost a VBS decorating contest with

churches. Have them decorate their church lobby or other area and then submit pic-tures of their creations.

If you have a store Web site, promote the contest there as well and have churches upload pictures. Involve all your customers

by inviting them to vote for the best deco-rated theme. This can be done in your store, online or both. Give the winning church a gift certificate for VBS or another fun prize.

SUPPorT mINISTrY eFForTS

Organize an event that corresponds to the service projects found in the VBS pro-grams. Most have a service component.

For instance, you can create a weeklong event to see how many canned goods people can drop off at your store for distribution to local food pantries. Design a bulletin board in your store where customers can list what service projects they are doing during their VBS. Get people excited about serving oth-ers through the resources you provide.

be CUSTomer-CeNTrICFrom the time a customer drives into

your parking lot to the time they drive away, they should be the first priority while at your store.

It’s very easy for staff to forget to interact with a customer when they’re in the middle of inventory, rearranging product or mak-ing calls to top accounts. Remember to help your employees be customer-centric. Stores that have outstanding customer ser-vice are the stores customers come back to.

When a person can order a product on-line and wait for it to be delivered, what makes someone decide to go into a store? It’s the feeling of being valued. If they know that their local Christian retail store has the best customer service, has VBS experts who can answer questions and that the store creates a feeling of belonging, a customer will come in and make a purchase.

mAKe IT FUNNo matter what you do, make it fun.

When customers walk into your store and see that everyone is having fun and enjoying their work environment, they are going to feel that this is the store for them. It will be the place they come to for all their Christian resource purchases, not just VBS.

This attitude doesn’t just affect your customers. When your staff sees the ef-forts you make to create a fun working en-vironment, it boosts their energy level and work efforts. Now you’ll have both cus-tomers and staff talking to their friends about your store. And those friends will come to see what all the buzz is about—an instant customer-generator.

Remember that you are helping change hundreds of lives each year—VBS continues to touch kids, parents, volunteers and many others. CR

BoB Wallace is brand manager for trade products at Standard Publishing.

By BoB Wallace

A VBS student works on an Answers in Genesis craft project.

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VBS 2012

Vacation Bible School (VBS) continues to be a prime means by which Christian re-tail stores can connect with local churches, who, in turn, draw in the community.

We talked about the importance of the VBS season with four publisher representa-tives: Becky Loyd, director of LifeWay Kids; Crystal McDowell, VBS project manager, Urban Ministries; Stacia McKeever, proj-ect manager, VBS, Answers in Genesis; and Shannon Velasquez, public relations/special events manager, VBS/women’s ministry, Group Publishing.

CHRISTIAN RETAILING: How valu-able is VBS to stores and churches?

BECKY LOYD: The value of VBS is not measured in dollars, but in ministry results. In 2010, Southern Baptist reported over 82,000 decisions for Christ through the ministry of Vacation Bible School.

SHANNON VELASQUEZ: Very valu-able. Other than Christmas, Vacation Bible School is one of the only key “sales seasons” for Christian retailers. VBS sales peak from May to July, which has traditionally been a slow season for bookstores.

STACIA McKEEVER: Vacation Bible School presents many churches with the opportunity to reach children that may not come through their doors any other time. ... The stores that sell VBS products provide a valuable way for churches to compare the various curricula in a tangible way.

CRYSTAL McDOWELL: VBS is valuable to stores because it builds up traffic during low months especially after the Christmas season. It also strengthens the relationship between churches and bookstores leading to a greater effectiveness in evangelism.

CHRISTIAN RETAILING: How do you come up with new ideas every year?

LOYD: There are lots of “ingredients” in developing a VBS theme—prayer, input from church leaders, research and creativ-ity, just to name a few. At LifeWay, we mix those ingredients together, and then trust God to lead us to the theme and biblical focus that He would have for the next VBS year.

VELASQUEZ: We get our inspiration for VBS themes from our friends in min-istry. We are constantly listening to their wants and needs, and try to develop our programs accordingly.

McKEEVER: “Be still and know that I am God.” First and foremost, we pray a lot and try to discern where God is lead-ing us. Then, for our spiritual theme, we intentionally choose topics that will build a biblical worldview into kids’ lives. The world is pelting children with false infor-mation about God and His Word through TV, books, schools, movies, zoos and mu-

seums. Our goal is to choose subjects that are relevant to kids’ lives and show them, from God’s Word, how to think biblically about them. Our aim is to teach kids how the Bible connects to the real world.

McDOWELL: The new ideas for VBS from year to year are determined by a com-bination of prayer and a desire to bring ex-citement into learning about Jesus Christ. We want our community of believers to offer their students curriculum that is fresh, down-to-earth and Bible-centered with knowing Jesus being the dominant focus of each lesson.

CHRISTIAN RETAILING: What’s dif-ferent in your curriculum or approach this season?

VELASQUEZ: In 2012, Group Publish-ing is “reimagining” VBS. For years we have heard the cry of our friends in ministry to find ways to keep older children (boys in particular) actively engaged. ... Say good-bye to old crafts and hello to Imagination Station. This is the “wow” VBS directors have been looking for. These unexpected, jaw-dropping, Sciency-Fun Gizmos bring the Daily Bible Point to life.

McKEEVER: Kids love laughter and fast-paced fun. Ask any child if they would like to go to a carnival or if they would like to play at a colorful theme park, and you will soon find that there is almost no place they’d rather be. IncrediWorld provides VBS coordinators with more theme-based options than just about any other VBS we have ever published. By integrating cre-ation and the truth of the Bible into an amusement park theme, your staging ideas can be anything from small and simple to big and complex. A little creativity goes a long way here and can work incredibly well for a wide range of ages and temperaments.

McDOWELL: In addition to offering e-learning for our directors and teachers, we want to give more strategies of getting across the lesson theme for the students with mini-dramas on the Fishin’ on a

Mission with DVD and a decorator’s packet for small or large assembly areas.

CHRISTIAN RETAILING: What do you do with multimedia or the Web?

LOYD: Our VBS Web site is a place where VBS directors and teachers can come to share ideas, pictures and videos on how they are making VBS fun and ef-fective at their church. We also offer an online application called VBS Tools Online that allows churches to manage their VBS volunteers and students, rotation schedule and attendance.

McKEEVER: We offer several DVDs (song motions and drama) and CD-ROMs that give leaders the ability to print what they need, instead of having to copy from a book. We have an established presence on the Web through our own Web site (AnswersVBS.com), and we also interact with our consumers through our Facebook page.

McDOWELL: This year we want to ex-plore offering our customers an e-learning concept for directors and teachers for VBS as well as giving extra games and/or activi-ties, reproducible forms, PowerPoint teach-ing, skits, color logo and so much more on the Resource CD-ROM.

CHRISTIAN RETAILING: Do you use much scripture in your VBS? Why or why not?

LOYD: LifeWay VBS curriculum is based on Scripture and uses Scripture throughout the curriculum. Each year, both of our pro-grams are based on an overall theme verse, include the telling of a Bible passage as a story each day and a memory verse that reinforces the Bible content and life appli-cation. Our No. 1 core value at LifeWay is the Bible; we believe the Bible is the eternal, infallible, inerrant Word of God and is the plumbline for everything we say and do.

VELASQUEZ: Single Bible Point learn-ing is reinforced in every activity. At Group, we start with the Bible and use creative

activities to help kids experience God’s Word and apply it to life. At Group’s VBS programs, when kids experience a Group lesson, they don’t just hear it. They do it. By the end of the week, kids will learn five Bible points—that they will remember.

McKEEVER: We want kids to learn that the Bible has the answers to the questions they’re asking and that it can be trusted to tell the truth about every subject it touches on. We want them to realize that the Word of God needs to be their absolute authority in this ever-changing world, so we encour-age them to dig into God’s Word whenever they can.

McDOWELL: Our curriculum is defi-nitely Scripture-based because we believe that God’s Word will never fail. We try to incorporate as much scripture for under-standing and application for all age levels. We keep it simple for the young and new converts, yet also deep and challenging enough for those who are well-versed in Scripture.

CHRISTIAN RETAILING: How can sup-pliers best help stores encourage VBS sales?

LOYD: Knowledge about the different VBS programs is the best way stores can help encourage sales of VBS materials. Many churches look to store employees for their expertise about the product they carry. Knowing the church’s needs and helping match a program to their needs is vital.

VELASQUEZ: Vacation Bible School does not end with the sale of a starter kit. Make sure to follow up with your friends in ministry throughout the season. Group Publishing offers about 200 items every year for our VBS programs. Make it easy for them to place their “per student” orders.

McDOWELL: Curriculum suppliers best help stores by offering merchandis-ing tips or ideas for the bookstores as well as providing product displays, giving out free samples, flexible return policies and on-time shipping. cr

VBS ROUNDTABLE

‘A key sales season for stores’Suppliers discuss VBS’ enduring impact and how retailers can support its ministry

BECKY LOYD, director of LifeWay Kids  CRYSTAL MCDOWELL, VBS project manager, Urban Ministries STACIA MCKEEVER, project manager, VBS, Answers in Genesis  SHANNON VELASQUEZ, public relations/special events manager, VBS/women’s ministry, Group Publishing

More VBS help onlineYou will find further help with the 2012 VBS offerings in the November digital issue of Christian Retailing. In addition to the details in the print issue, you will want to access our digital issue for links to VBS promotional trailers.

To see this special VBS issue and previous digital issues of the magazine, go to www.christianretailing.com.Kids enjoy playing a game during a Standard Publishing VBS program.

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VBS 2012

VBS 2012 LISTING

Program guideDetails of themes, content and additional resources for next summer’s VBS programs

ABINGDON PRESS

No Friend Like Jesus: Get Connected

Methodist; todder-adult; five sessions; abingdonpressvbs.com

MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: “Become friends with God, [God] is al-ready a friend with you” 2 Cor. 5:20b (The Message).

THEME/CONTENT: Through Jesus, God created a social network that con-nects from creation to eternity. From the African talking drum to the smartphone, we continue to stay connected with friends and family. With No Friend Like Jesus: Get Connected, participants will connect with God and community in a Bible-based, social-networking progression from image to profile to friends to updates, ultimately sending a message about faith in Jesus. Through Scripture, music, tech speech, movement, crafts, app daps, video, skits and games, participants will see that Jesus makes all connection possible.

No Friend Like Jesus: Get Connected features VBS activity centers that cater to different learning styles through contem-porary music, daily Bible stories, multicul-tural heritage lessons, theme-related crafts, snacks and movement.

Daily Bible lessons 1. Looking Good! (Gen. 1:26-31): Created in God’s image, we can look good, do good and be good. 2. What’s Your Profile? God Didn’t Make No Junk! (Ps. 8): Wonderfully and mar-velously made, I am God’s glorious child. 3. What’s Your Update? (John 4:7-41, selected verses): Jesus was up to date on the Samaritan woman and He knows you, too! 4. Best Friends Forever (Luke 5:17-26): Friends bring a man who is paralyzed to Jesus, a friend who always forgives. 5. Send a Message: Jesus Is Alive! (Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-3): Luke writes to his friends about Jesus.

STARTER KIT CONTENTS: Catalog; ac-cess to free upgraded online registration; Worship DVD; leaders’ guides: Director’s Manual, Preschool/Kindergarten, Younger and Older Elementary Bible Story Leaders, Arts & Crafts, Heritage & Drama, Music & Movement Leaders, recipe guide and Out-reach/Followup; Student Book samples;

Teen Contemporary Music CD; additional ancillary and craft samples.

STARTER KIT PRICE: $74.99ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Teen Lead-

er with music CD; Adult Leader with music CD; Leader certificate (pack of 10); Zion Still Sings; Student Handbooks; Adult Stu-dent; student certificate (pack of 25); name tag (pack of 24); name tag holder (pack of 12); Music CD; Worship DVD; Invitation postcard (pack of 25); Decorating & Pub-licity Poster Pak; Get Connected Scratch ’n’ Color cell (pack of 24); No Friend Like Jesus smiley face wristbands (pack of 12); and more.

NEW THIS YEAR: Upgraded free online registration with grade-level assignments; VBS church locator; planning calendar; snack and craft calculator; newsletter tem-plates; Task Manager; customizable prod-uct wish list and more.

ANSWERS IN GENESIS

IncrediWorld Amazement Park: A Thrill Ride Through God’s Creation

Nondenominational; Toddler (2-4); Pre-Primary (4-6); Primary (6-9); Junior (9-12), five sessions, Answersvbs.com

MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Gen. 1-3; Job 40-41.

THEME/CONTENT: Set in a theme park, IncrediWorld Amazement Park takes kids on a thrill ride through God’s creation. Children will learn that God is creator of all and that He sent His Son to Earth to save us from our sins.

DVD: Promo & Recruitment DVD; Song Motions DVD; It’s Showtime! drama DVD.

MULTIMEDIA: CD-ROMs, music CDs, music DVD, Promo & Recruitment DVD, It’s Showtime! DVD.

SONGBOOK/LYRICS: Top Thrill Tunes songbook and sheet music; lyrics also available on music CD-ROM.

WEB COMPONENT: AnswersVBS.com; Facebook.com/AnswersVBS; VBS manager.

STARTER KIT CONTENTS: Director’s Guide, Director’s CD-ROM, Concession Stand Guide, Midway Games Guide, Craft

Cove Guide, Assembly Guide, Assembly CD-ROM, Promotional & Recruitment DVD, Helper Handbook, God’s Incredible World! and How Can I Become a Child of God? booklets, God Thought of It First! cards (sample), one teacher guide, CD-ROM and student guides. For Super Starter kit contents, visit AnswersVBS.com.

STARTER KIT PRICES:$99.99, Starter; $189.99, Super Starter

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: promo-tional materials, T-shirts, music resources (contemporary or traditional), puppets, area signs, student resources, gospel booklets, animal posters, water bottle, wristband, sticker sheets and more.

NEW THIS YEAR: student resources (balloons, stamps, stickers, curly straws).

PREVIOUS USERS SAY: “Best content of any that I’ve looked at.” (S.V.)

“This is our third year using Answers. We love it! It is a solid Bible-based pro-gram and very teacher friendly! The kids have loved it. Those who travel from church to church during the VBS season have told us ours is the best!” (B.R.)

BOGARD PRESS

Sonlight Express—Jesus & Me

Baptist; age 2-adult; five sessions; www.vbs.bogardpress.org

COKESBURY

Operation Overboard: Dare to Go Deep with God!

Methodist, toddler-adult, five sessions, overboard.cokesburyvbs.com

MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:“Faith is the reality of what we hope for and proof of what we don’t see” (Heb. 11:1).

THEME/CONTENT: Dive in and discov-er God’s underwater universe! Through interactive lessons, students will “go deep” into God’s Word, exploring Bible stories of people who revealed deep faith by know-ing how to: depend on God, dare to care, claim Jesus, choose to follow and change the world.

Scripture focus: Session 1: Noah de-pends on God (Gen. 6:9-13, 6:22-7:17, 8:1, 8:13-9:17). Scripture Pearl: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, don’t rely on your own intelligence” (Prov. 3:5). Faith Phrase: Depend on God; Session 2: A Ser-vant Girl Dares to Care (2 Kings 5). Scrip-ture Pearl: “You must love your neighbor as you love yourself ” (Matt. 22:39). Faith Phrase: Dare to Care; Session 3: John Proclaims Jesus (Matt. 3:1-17, Mark 1:1-11, Luke 3:1-22). Scripture Pearl: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life” (John 3:16). Faith Phrase: Claim Jesus; Session 4: The Disciples Choose to Follow Jesus (Luke 5:1-11, John 21:4-21). Scrip-ture Pearl: “Choose today whom you will serve. … But my family and I will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15). Faith Phrase: Choose to Follow; Session 5: Paul Delivers Good News (Acts 27). Scripture Pearl: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Faith Phrase: Change the World.

DVD: Adventure Video for Assembly Time DVD/CD-ROM; music video DVD; Sunday Bible Toons preschool CD and DVD; Action Bible Toons CD and DVD.

MULTIMEDIA: Music CD withPowerPoint slides and two preschool music tracks; Student Take-Home CD-ROM; Mega Media Pak; Decorating/Publicity CD-ROM.

SONGBOOK/LYRICS: song chartsSTARTER KIT CONTENTS: Catalog, ac-

cess to free premium, upgraded online registration, Director Guide, Preschool/Kindergarten Leader, Leader Guide for each leader (Bible Storyteller, Craft, Music, Discovery Time, Assembly, Rec-reation, Snack, Decorating, Mission and Reflection Time), sample of each age-level Student Book, music CD with Power-Point, sample of publicity and craft ma-terials, Scripture Treasures (set of five), mesh diver bag, sun catcher craft, pop-up card craft, foam picture frame craft, mosaic cross craft, Bible Story activity stickers, small promotional poster, leader recognition certificate, student certificate, Invitation postcard, Thank You postcard, name tag, name tag holder, name tag at-tendance stickers, follow-up photo frame, craft theme stickers, iron-on transfer,

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CEB Outreach Bible.STARTER KIT PRICE: Starter Kit

$89.99; Smaller Church Starter Kit $59.99

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Ocho the Octopus puppet; Student Take Home CD-ROM; Adventure Video for Assembly Time; music videos; Decorating/Publicity CD; Mega Media Pak; Reproducible Fun Pages; Bible Story Activity stickers; small Promotional Poster; large Promotional Poster; Invitation postcard (pack of 25); Activity Center Signs & Publicity Pak; outdoor banner; Decorating transparen-cies; iron-on transfer; leader recognition certificate (pack of 10); student certifi-cate (pack of 50); Thank You postcard (pack of 25); name tag card (pack of 24); name tag sticker (pack of 24); Follow-up Photo Frame (pack of 50—25 sheets); Craft Theme sticker (pack of 12); Deco-rating mural; Decorating Fish Shapes; theme banner; theme banner X stand combo; metallic foil fringe curtain; net; plastic lobster; plastic crab; name tag holder (pack of 12); Leader T-shirts; Child T-shirts; CEB Outreach New Testament (pack of 12); and more.

NEW THIS YEAR: CEB Outreach Chil-dren’s Bible; preschool tracks on music CD.

CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE

Amazing Desert Journey

Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; pre-school-adult; five sessions; www.cph.org/vbs2012/

MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1).

Day 1: Adam and Eve Leave the Gar-den (Gen. 2:8-17; 3:1-15, 22-24); Day 2: God Provides Manna and Water (Ex. 16:1–17:7); Day 3: Jesus Is Tempted (Matt. 4:1-11); Day 4: Jesus Dies and Rises (Matt. 27:27-54, 28:1-10); Day 5: A Heavenly Multitude (Rev. 2:10; 7:9-17).

THEME/CONTENT: VBS with pur-pose—to teach children about their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As a bonus, songs and activities also teach the Lord’s Prayer. The easy-to-decorate desert theme provides a backdrop for a clear presentation of the gospel. Through the activities and lessons, children see God’s Word as relevant in their own lives, now and eternally.

DVD: yes

MULTIMEDIA: yes SONGBOOK/LYRICS: yes WEB COMPONENT: yes STARTER KIT CONTENTS: Super

Duper Director Guide, Amazing Pre-school Leader Guide, Desert Travel Tunes Music Leader Guide, Oasis Open-ing/Closing Leader Pack, Desert Jour-ney Bible Challenge Leader Pack, Tent of Meeting Storytelling Leader Pack, Marketplace Munchies Snack Leader Pack, Desert Games Leader Pack, Craft Bazaar Leader Pack; Samples: Student Travel Journal, Preschool Leaflets, Stu-dent Travel Journal: Elementary Leaf-lets, Publicity Postcard, Publicity Poster, Share Jesus Frisbee Flyer Craft, Praise Lantern Craft, Jesus Saves Me sand art craft, Caravan name tags, Desert Doo-dads Student Identifiers and Caravan Collectibles.

STARTER KIT PRICE: $129.99 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Passa-

long CD, collectibles, student resources, decorating items, publicity items, crafts, puppet.

PREVIOUS USERS SAY: “Kids en-joyed [the music]; catchy; right amount of actions; Good theology, in a creative, fun package that is reasonably priced, easy to use, with plenty of resources to allow us to customize it to our needs. In short, keep doing the excellent job you’ve been doing the past 5 years (how long I’ve been directing). I love VBS!” (Laura, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Brentwood, Mo.)

EDITORIAL CONCORDIA

Campeones de la fe (Champions of Faith)

Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; age 3-14; five sessions

FAITH & LIFE RESOURCES (MENNOMEDIA)

Take Me to the Water: God’s Love Flows

Nondenominational; preschool-grade 8; five daily sessions or 12 weekly ses-sions; www.mennomedia.org/vbs

GO FISH

Praise: Where Kids Get Down And Lift God High!

Nondenominational; preschool-grade 6; five sessions;

GOSPEL LIGHT

SonRise National Park

Nondenominational; nursery-adult; five sessions; www.gospellightvbs.com/sonrise/

MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Theme verse: “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19, NIV).

THEME/CONTENT: Get ready for wil-derness thrills at SonRise National Park. Kids will be awestruck by snow-capped mountains, thundering waterfalls, wild-flower meadows bursting with color, and amazing animals like soaring eagles, friendly huskies and herds of caribou. As kids explore SonRise National Park, they’ll learn the most important survival skill of all: they can always depend on Jesus and His promises of true peace, true riches, true power, true love and true hope. At SonRise National Park, all trails lead to Jesus!

DVD: Go Big! Assemblies DVD; True Nature Survivor Skit DVD, Overview DVD.

MULTIMEDIA: Music CDs, skit videos, PowerPoint song lyrics, training videos and downloadable resources.

SONGBOOK/LYRICS: SonRise Music Leader DVD-ROM and CD-ROM.

WEB COMPONENT: Promo Video Download, sample downloads.

STARTER KIT CONTENTS: Starter Kit: Director’s Planning Guide with CD, Overview DVD, Bible Games Book, Craft Book, PreK/Kindergarten Teacher Guide, Primary Bible Story Guide, Middler Bible Story Guide, PreTeen Bible Story Guide, Pennant, God Loves You Booklet, Follow-ing Jesus Booklet, PreK/K Student Guide, Primary Student Guide, Middler Student Guide, PreTeen Student Guide, pennant, Promo postcard, iron-on transfer, name tag, student sticker, skin decal, photo

frame, balloon, bookmark (NIV), bulle-tin insert, doorknob hanger, Volunteer Pocket Guide, student certificate, volun-teer certificate, magnet, recreation card, snack card, wall cutout, publicity poster and attendance chart.

SUPER STARTER KIT: Director’s Planning Guide with CD, Music Leader DVD with CD-ROM, Skit DVD, Assem-bly DVD, Assemblies and Skit Guide, Reproducible Music CD, Reproducible Decorating Poster Pack, Connection Card, Reproducible Resource Book, PreK/K Posters and Props, Teaching Poster Pack Elementary, snack card, recreation game card, Overview DVD, Bible Games Book, Craft Book, PreK/Kindergarten Teacher Guide, Primary Bible Story Guide, Middler Bible Story Guide, PreTeen Bible Story Guide, pen-nant, God Loves You booklet, Following Jesus booklet, PreK/K Student Guide, Primary Student Guide, Middler Student Guide, PreTeen Student Guide, pennant, promo postcard, iron-on transfer, name tag, student sticker, skin decal, photo frame, balloon, bookmark (NIV), bul-letin insert, doorknob hanger, Volunteer Pocket Guide, student certificate, vol-unteer certificate, magnet, wall cutout, publicity poster small, attendance chart, pennant and carabiner clip.

STARTER KIT PRICES: Starter Kit: $79.99; Super Starter Kit: $199.99

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Trek Guides, reproducible music, large group activities and decorating options, includ-ing inflatable airplanes and eagles.

NEW THIS YEAR: Trek Guides, tri-fold brochure highlighting each day’s adventure and pads of 25 pages each for Elementary students.

PREVIOUS USERS SAY: “This year’s VBS, SonSurf Beach Blast was the most successful and highest attended. We had a blast! I believe that the reason why our VBS was so successful was because we used SonQuest last year. I’m looking for-ward to using SonRise next year. We loved the content and that it was easy to use.” (Linda Temple, N.C.)

GOSPEL PUBLISHING HOUSE

MEGA Sports Camp: Beyond the Gold

Nondenominational; ages 6-12; five ses-sions; www.megasportscamp.com

MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?

C O N T I N U E D , p a g e 1 6

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Give Your Customers the Combination to Unlock Their

Communities for Christ.

MEGA Sports Camp curriculum combines community outreach and VBS fun. It’s sports skill building partnered with hard-hitting Bible truths.

This outreach VBS is unlike any other because kids don’t just see a sports theme—they DO it!

Not Every VBS Is A Winner. THIS ONE IS.

As a two-time winner of Outreach Magazine’s “Best Children’s Outreach” Award in 2005 and 2009, MEGA Sports Camp curriculum rises to the top as the VBS your customers—and kids—want.

Why? It does what other VBS programs don’t by combining Bible truths with get-out-there-and-do-it-on-the-fi eld sports kids love. It’s a combination churches use again and again to reach their com-munities for Christ because it works!

In fact, most churches enjoy a 51% guest rate and 20% salvation response.

“ Outreach was really our focus, and the MEGA Sports Camp program worked great. The mixture of sports activity with the Word of God is a winning combination. The sports brought in more of our neighborhood kids. And 33 got saved!”

~ Lillian Snider, Beach Fellowship Church, VA

When you carry the award-winning MEGA Sports Camp outreach in your store, you can be proud of • the quality for your customers • the gospel impact on your community.

Everybody wins! Go to facebook.com/megasportscamp to see what others are saying.

As an approved dealer, take advantage of your 40% discount on MEGA Sports Camp Starter Kits.

Plus, get 60% off your display kit! Call your Customer Service Rep at 1.800.641.4310 and press option 3

for more details.

www.MEGAsportscamp.comwww.trade.gospelpublishing.com

Gospel Publishing House

Gospel Pub Tabspread_placed.indd 2 9/24/11 9:29 PM

Give Your Customers the Combination to Unlock Their

Communities for Christ.

MEGA Sports Camp curriculum combines community outreach and VBS fun. It’s sports skill building partnered with hard-hitting Bible truths.

This outreach VBS is unlike any other because kids don’t just see a sports theme—they DO it!

Not Every VBS Is A Winner. THIS ONE IS.

As a two-time winner of Outreach Magazine’s “Best Children’s Outreach” Award in 2005 and 2009, MEGA Sports Camp curriculum rises to the top as the VBS your customers—and kids—want.

Why? It does what other VBS programs don’t by combining Bible truths with get-out-there-and-do-it-on-the-fi eld sports kids love. It’s a combination churches use again and again to reach their com-munities for Christ because it works!

In fact, most churches enjoy a 51% guest rate and 20% salvation response.

“ Outreach was really our focus, and the MEGA Sports Camp program worked great. The mixture of sports activity with the Word of God is a winning combination. The sports brought in more of our neighborhood kids. And 33 got saved!”

~ Lillian Snider, Beach Fellowship Church, VA

When you carry the award-winning MEGA Sports Camp outreach in your store, you can be proud of • the quality for your customers • the gospel impact on your community.

Everybody wins! Go to facebook.com/megasportscamp to see what others are saying.

As an approved dealer, take advantage of your 40% discount on MEGA Sports Camp Starter Kits.

Plus, get 60% off your display kit! Call your Customer Service Rep at 1.800.641.4310 and press option 3

for more details.

www.MEGAsportscamp.comwww.trade.gospelpublishing.com

Gospel Publishing House

Gospel Pub Tabspread_placed.indd 3 9/24/11 9:29 PM

16 / / / NOVE M B E R 2011 / / / www.christianretail ing.com

VBS 2012

Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” 1 Cor. 9:24,25 (NIV).

THEME/CONTENT: A do-it-yourself sports camp where kids learn the ba-sics of basketball, cheerleading, soccer or baseball. Children’s-church-style ral-lies and small group time with sports breakouts. Shows kids how to live out their faith on and off the field.

DVD: Director’s resources DVD, cheer training DVD and theme music actions DVD .

MULTIMEDIA: Art CD, theme music CD, cheer music CD, cheer training CD, and resources CD.

WEB COMPONENT: downloadable resources.

STARTER KIT CONTENTS: Director Guide, Director DVD and CD-ROM, Art CD-ROM, poster, Rally Guide, Theme Music DVD and CD-ROM, Coach Huddle Guide, Soccer Playbook, Cheer-leading Playbook, Basketball Playbook, Sports Flash activity paper, Adventures in Faith kids’ discipleship resource, T-shirt, sports bottle, gospel ball and theme verse magnetic photo frame.

STARTER KIT PRICE: $129.99 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: T-shirts,

T-shirt iron-ons, poster, kids’ take-home activity page, EvangeCubes, pom-poms, baseball cap, whistle, megaphone, drill cones, pinnies and shin guards.

PREVIOUS USERS SAY: “We polled our kids—traditional VBS or sports camp—and the kids hands-down chose the sports camp.”

GROUP PUBLISHING

Babylon—Daniel’s Courage in Captivity

Interdenominational; preschool-adult (intergenerational); five sessions; group.com/Babylon

MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:Enemies capture Daniel and his friends and take them to Babylon (Daniel 1). Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2). Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survive a fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Daniel prays, even though it means he might get into trouble (Dan. 6:1-16). God saves Daniel from the lions (Dan. 6:16-28).

THEME/CONTENT: Join Daniel—torn from his home and forced into the king’s service. Imagine the pressure of learning a new language and culture … and the shock of discovering your best friends have been tossed into a fiery

furnace. Explore exotic sights and smells in a Babylonian bazaar. Kids and adults will find that they’re not much different from Daniel and his friends, who kept their faith in a faithless culture.

DVD: Babylon Celebration music DVD

MULTIMEDIA: Babylon Celebration music CD

SONGBOOK/LYRICS: songbooks/chord charts online.

WEB COMPONENT: VBS P.R.O. (Pro-mote. Register. Organize.)

STARTER KIT CONTENTS: Director re-sources: Ultimate Director Go-To-Guide; Ultimate Director Go-To Recruiting & Training DVD; Decorating Places: Baby-lon DVD; Clip Art & Resources CD; VBS P.R.O.; Publicity Poster; God Sightings Animal Tiles; Bringing It Home: Family Faith-Builders devotional booklet.

Volunteer resources: sample Fam-ily Teaching Kit (includes Tribe Time Leader Manual); Celebration Leader Manual; Daniel’s Adventures Drama Leader Manual; Shopkeeper Manual; Fun & Games Leader Manual; Celebra-tion Music Leader Version 2-CD Set; Celebration Music DVD; Daily Dramas booklet; Marketplace sample proj-ect packet and Participant resources packet.

Student resources: Postcards from the Palace, Student Book Set of Bible Memory Makers, Follow-Up Foto Frame, name badges, bandura sticker sheet, iron-on transfer, Miniature Hang-ing Garden Kit, Hidden Message Medal-lion, sample of Daric coins, coin pouch, Bronze Nameplate Kit., Babylonion Flute Kit and Mosaic Memory Box.

STARTER KIT PRICE: $124.99 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Clip art

samples and music downloads. PREVIOUS USERS SAY: “We just fin-

ished our trek to Egypt. Everyone loved it, even to preteen/teens that don’t usually like to do anything for church. One boy could not come most nights because of football practice; when it was cancelled because of rain, he actually wanted to come to VBS rather than stay home.” (Meg, Winston-Salem, N.C.)

“This was our first year doing a Holy Land Adventure after several years of Group’s ‘Fun VBS.’ I loved it! Group al-ways does such a great job, but I loved what the Holy Land gave to the kids!” (Jodi, Lansing, Ill.)

GROUP PUBLISHING

Sky

Interdenominational; preschool-youth; five sessions; group.com/sky

MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:“Everything is possible with God” (Mark 10:27).

THEME/CONTENT: Every kid wishes they could fly … so imagine transform-ing your church into the boundless blue sky! At Sky VBS, kids discover that by trusting God, everything is possible. Sky is the down-to-earth VBS … where the sky is the limit!

DVD: Up & Away Sing & Play music DVD.

MULTIMEDIA: Up & Away Sing & Play music DVD, Up & Away Sing & Play music leader version CD set.

SONGBOOK/LYRICS: songbooks/chord charts online.

WEB COMPONENT: VBS P.R.O. (Pro-mote. Register. Organize.)

STARTER KIT CONTENTS: Direc-tor resources: Ultimate Director Go-To Guide; Decorating Places DVD: Clip Art & Resources CD; Ultimate Director Go-To Recruiting & Training DVD; VBS P.R.O.; and poster samples.

Volunteer resources: Leader Manuals (10); Spotlight VBS Leader Manual & CD; Preschool Director Manual; Up & Away Sing & Play Leader Manual; Sing & Play music CD; Leader Version 2-CD Set; Sing & Play music DVD; and Catch Some Air DVD.

Student resources: Bible Memory Buddies (set of five); iOpeners: Sur-prising Conversations About God Stu-dent Cards; Bible Play Pack (Preschool Student Book); sticker sheet, iron-on transfer, name badge samples; Watch for God wristband; and Sciency-Fun Gizmos (five).

STARTER KIT PRICE: $157.99 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Bible

Memory Buddy Books, games, videos, coloring fun and activities as well as in-formation for parents and church lead-ers available online at 4everybuddy.com.

NEW THIS YEAR: Imagination Sta-tion, Animated Chadder and an all-new Operation Kid-to-Kid mission. Free clip-art samples and music downloads, including the Sky theme song.

PREVIOUS USERS SAY: “On Thurs-day night we had six children come to faith in Christ for the first time. We had one to be baptized at the Sunday closing program. Then this week we have an entire family being baptized together, plus two children, plus our Bible Voyage leader is getting ‘re-baptized’ because he was inspired by these kids to have a closer walk with Christ.” (Cheryl)

“Children and adults really enjoyed the music and interactive Bible stories. The staff returns year after year and learns along with the kids. Can’t repeat that enough!” (B. Reed, Radford, Va.)

“A month after VBS, I’m still hav-ing God Sightings! This morning I led a chapel time with the daycare kids next door to the church (many of whom came to our VBS). I was told by one of the teachers that a little girl asks every day if she can go back to VBS. Upon being told she had to wait until next year, she suggested that we

should have another one this year!” (Victoria)

KREMER PUBLICATIONS

Team Jesus

Nondenominational; preschool-adult; five sessions; www.summervbs.com

LIFEWAY CHURCH RESOURCES

Amazing Wonders Aviation: Encoun-tering God’s Awesome Power

Southern Baptist; babies-adults; five sessions; lifeway.com/vbs

LIFEWAY CHURCH RESOURCES

Club VBS: SpaceQuest

Southern Baptist, babies-grade 6, five sessions; lifeway.com/vbs

NORTHWESTERN PUBLISHING HOUSE

Back to Jerusalem

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, age 3 through adult, five sessions (one or two sessions also available); www.nph.net/vbs

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VBS 2012

www.christianretail ing.com / / / NOVE M B E R 2011 / / / 17

REGULAR BAPTIST PRESS

BugZone: Transformed by Our Big God!

Baptist; age 2-adult; five sessions; www.rbpVBS.org

MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:Theme verse: “O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people” (Ps. 105:1). Day 1: Changed: Joshua. Num. 13, 14; Deut. 31:6–8; Josh. 1:1–11; 3 God’s pres-ence and power gives us courage and strength to obey Him; Day 2: Changed: Gideon. Judges 6:1-7:23 God can change us to be servants who are ready to do His will; Day 3: Changed: Naomi and Ruth. The book of Ruth God’s love for us gives us joy no matter what happens to us. Day 4: Changed: Zacchaeus. Luke 19:1–10 Our obedience is evidence of God’s transform-ing power in us; Day 5: Changed: Saul of Tarsus. Acts 9:1-25 God’s message of salvation should be shared with everyone.

THEME/CONTENT: Discover God’s power to transform lives. BugZone: Transformed by Our Big God challenges students to respond to God’s love with love, trust and courageous obedience. The theme verse expresses the desires of a person whose life has been transformed by God to thank Him, call upon Him and tell others about Him.

DVD: promo DVD (promotional and mission project videos).

MULTIMEDIA: Director’s Resource CD set (decorating CD and resource CD), music CD and puppet CD.

SONGBOOK/LYRICS: yes STARTER KIT CONTENTS: Direc-

tor’s Guide; Director’s Resource CD set; Thank-you card; Teacher Books (2s and 3s-Youth); Student Activity Sheets (2s & 3s-Junior); Youth Handbook; Adult Bible Study; salvation poster; gospel book-mark; Salvation Tracts (five); Welcome to the Family; Family Fun Sheet; Opera-tion India poster; theme poster; jumbo theme poster; invitation flyer; doorknob hanger; postcard; bulletin cover; Craft Ideas Book; glow stick; firefly; My Bug Jar; Music CD; attendance chart; name tag; registration card; BugZone pass; Bug-Zone backpack; BugZone Explorer Pouch; sticker sheet; theme balloon; theme but-ton; logo sticker; iron-on transfer; sticky notepad; wind-up flipping ladybug; Bug-Zone fun bag; BugZone pencil; ladybug inflatable; BugZone magnifier; catalog; promotional DVD.

STARTER KIT PRICE: $79.99PREVIOUS USERS SAY: “You can ex-

pect a high-quality program with solid biblical content. RBP makes a point to

be evangelistic in their approach.” (Tony Kummer, Ministry-to-Children.com)

R.H. BOYD PUBLISHING CORP.

Finding the Heavenly Treasure

Baptist; preschool-adult, five sessions; www.rhboydpublishing.com

STANDARD PUBLISHING

Adventures on Promise Island—Where kids discover God’s lifesaving love!

Nondenominational; preschool-older youth/adult; five sessions; www.vaca-tionbibleschool.com

MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: God’s Promise: I am with you. God is with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (Dan. 3:1, 4-28); God’s Promise: I care about you. Jesus cares for Mary, Martha and Lazarus. (John 11:1-3, 17-44); God’s Promise: I give you what you need. Jesus helps a man brought by four friends. (Mark 2:1-12); God’s Promise: I will save you. Jesus dies to save us. (John 19:16-18, 29-30; 20:24-31); God’s Promise: I will answer you. God answers the prayers of Paul and Silas. (Acts 16:22-34); Bible memory: Heb. 10:23.

THEME/CONTENT: Come join us for Adventures on Promise Island—Where Kids Discover God’s Lifesaving Love. Amid the swaying palm trees, exotic wildlife and welcoming sunshine, kids will learn that God promises: I am with you, I care about you, I give you what you need, I will save you, and I will answer you.

DVD: Planning DVD; Kids’ Views DVD; Seaside Celebration music DVD.

MULTIMEDIA: Planning DVD; Kids’ Views DVD; Seaside Celebration music DVD; Director’s Guide with CD; Life-guard Lagoon Leader’s Guide with CD; Preschool Director’s Guide with CD; Preschool Teaching Resources with CD; Elementary Teaching Resources with CD; Preteen Teaching Resources with CD; and more.

SONGBOOK/LYRICS: Seaside Cel-ebration dual CD set; Seaside Celebra-tion music DVD; Pass-Along music CDs.

WEB COMPONENT: VBS Web-site builder with online registration, craft calculator, snack calculator, church and store locators, registration materials, free music downloads, a forum to share tips and VBS Changes Lives! blog.

STARTER KIT CONTENTS: Starter Kit: Director’s Guide with CD; Plan-ning DVD; Preschool Director’s Guide with CD; Preschool Teacher Guide; Preschool Student Book; Elementary Teacher Guide; Elementary Student Book; Preteen Teacher Guide; Pre-teen Student Magazine; Teen Teacher Guide and Resource CD; Teen Student Magazine; Seaside Celebration Lead-er’s Guide; Lifeguard Lagoon Leader’s Guide; Coconut Café Leader’s Guide; Project Pointe Crafts and Service; Fun Time Falls Leader’s Guide—Games; Sea-side Celebration dual CD set; Planning Helps samples: publicity theme poster, recognition certificate, staff apprecia-tion card, Invitation postcard, name tag and lanyard, Promise Island iron-on, Color-It iron-on, God’s Promises stick-ers, Promise Island stickers, skin decal, Promise Island bookmark, Follow-up photo frame, Exclusive Director’s Bible Pin Pal.

Power Pak: all of the above plus the following items (also sold separately): Ultimate Decorating Pack and Guide (Decorating Pack, Decorating Guide and Giant Promise Island Tower); Art & Decorating CD; God’s Promises Poster Pack; Site Names Poster Pack; Kid Views DVD; Publicity and Recruiting CD; Life-guard Lagoon Bible Story Poster Pack; and Activity Pad.

STARTER KIT PRICES: Starter Kit, $69.99; Power Pak, $199.99

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Puppet Pack; Cooper hand puppet; Cooper pup-pet scripts CD; outdoor banner; publicity theme poster (pack of five); recognition certificate (pack of 12); Bible Memory Poster Pack (NIV or KJV) (pack of six); Staff Appreciation card (pack of 10); gift bags (pack of 10); God’s Promises banner pens (pack of five); Invitation postcard (pack of 24); Promise Island Color-It Mural; Cooper’s Cookie Cutters (pack of three); Promise Island sticker (six sheets); God’s Promises Stickers (six sheets); Crew Leader’s bag; name tag and lanyard (pack of 10); Participation Chart; Promise Island iron-ons (pack of 10); Rainbow Writer pencils (pack of 12); Promise Island bookmark (pack of 25); Color-It iron-ons (pack of 10); I Help Change Lives! notepad; T-shirt (adult M, L, XL); T-shirt (adult XXL); Cooper costume; Cooper costume pat-tern; bucket hat (pack of five); latex balloons (pack of 20); Pin Pals (pack of five); water bottle; inflatable flying disks; Follow-up frames (pack of five); Decorating Pack; backdrop; skin decals; Promise Island backerboard; Coconut Café apron; Super Fun Activity Table-cloth; Happy Day Book five-book set; older youth/adult book; older youth/adult group member discussion guide.

NEW THIS YEAR: Industry-first exclu-

sive VBS partnership with children’s wor-ship artist Yancy, who composed 10 new songs for Adventures on Promise Island; gigantic decorating stickers; Promise Is-land wall mural.

PREVIOUS USERS SAY: “I like how the theme is carried through the day to each activity. You hear it in the Bible story time, but it’s also carried through food and crafts. I love the catchy songs and the motions, ‘thumbs up’ on that. … We’re hoping that the kids who don’t know Jesus will also go home singing the songs. That’s what we pray all week, that something will stick in their hearts.” (Angie Rosenberg, crew leader).

URBAN MINISTRIES

Fishin’ on a Mission with Jesus

Nondenominational; preschool-adult; five to 10 sessions; www.urbanminis-tries.com

MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:Theme verse: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19, KJV).

THEME/CONTENT: Knowing Jesus and witnessing to others about Him. Young and mature alike will learn the Big Catch of the day, including: Pray First!, Speak Up!, Be Brave!, Live Right! and Reach Out!. Each lesson compels the students to reflect on the different ways they witness to others about Jesus. The content of the lessons is centered around the missionary journeys of Paul through the book of Acts.

DVD: Worship DVD with music, and Drama and Heritage Focus personality.

MULTIMEDIA: DVD, Resource CD-ROM and music CD.

SONGBOOK/LYRICS: Yes WEB COMPONENT: e-learning for

directors/teachers.STARTER KIT CONTENTS: Director’s

Guide, Fishin’ on a Mission DVD, four Teacher Guides, four Student Folders, Theme Song CD, Resource CD-ROM, You Are Invited poster, theme poster, fishing hat, fishing dogtag necklace, sili-con bracelet, drawstring bag, fishing pin, Go Fish game, Anchor of Truth memory game, magnet, name tag sample and Adult book study sample.

STARTER KIT PRICE: $69.99 NEW THIS YEAR: Drama presenta-

tion on DVD for Opening Assembly; Decorator’s Kit.

PREVIOUS USERS SAY: “Lesson plans corresponded so well with the music! The children and adults were excited about VBS every night!”

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Standard Pub Tabspread_placed.indd 3 9/24/11 10:41 PM

DISCOVER GOD’S POWER TO TRANSFORM LIVES! BugZone: Transformed by Our Big God challenges students to respond to God’s wonderful love with love, trust, and courageous obedience. The BugZone theme verse expresses the desires of a person whose life has been transformed by God to thank Him, call upon Him, and tell others about Him.

Changed: Joshua

Num. 13; 14; Deut. 31:6–8; Josh. 1:1–11; 3

Changed: Gideon

Judges 6:1—7:23

Changed: Naomi and Ruth

The book of Ruth

Changed: ZacchaeusLuke 19:1–10

Changed: Saul of Tarsus

Acts 9:1–25

God’s presence and power give us

courage and strength to obey Him.

God can change us to be servants who are ready to

do His will.

God’s love for us gives us joy no matter whathappens to us.

Our obedience is evidence of

God’s transforming power in us.

God’s message of salvation should

be shared with everyone.

CraftBugs & FlowersSticker Scene

CraftMagic

Color Scratch

CraftMy Bug Jar

CraftGlow Stick Firefl y

CraftBug Key Chain

VBS Program OverviewDAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5

“O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people” (Psalm 105:1).

GET DELAYED BILLING AND UP TO 35% OFF* WHEN YOU PURCHASE A PACKAGE DEAL BY JAN. 16, 2012!

CALL OR CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION1.800.727.4440 • www.rbpVBS.org/Retailers*Subject to special terms and conditions

Regular Baptist Press Tabspread_placed.indd 2 9/30/11 5:22 PM

DISCOVER GOD’S POWER TO TRANSFORM LIVES! BugZone: Transformed by Our Big God challenges students to respond to God’s wonderful love with love, trust, and courageous obedience. The BugZone theme verse expresses the desires of a person whose life has been transformed by God to thank Him, call upon Him, and tell others about Him.

Changed: Joshua

Num. 13; 14; Deut. 31:6–8; Josh. 1:1–11; 3

Changed: Gideon

Judges 6:1—7:23

Changed: Naomi and Ruth

The book of Ruth

Changed: ZacchaeusLuke 19:1–10

Changed: Saul of Tarsus

Acts 9:1–25

God’s presence and power give us

courage and strength to obey Him.

God can change us to be servants who are ready to

do His will.

God’s love for us gives us joy no matter whathappens to us.

Our obedience is evidence of

God’s transforming power in us.

God’s message of salvation should

be shared with everyone.

CraftBugs & FlowersSticker Scene

CraftMagic

Color Scratch

CraftMy Bug Jar

CraftGlow Stick Firefl y

CraftBug Key Chain

VBS Program OverviewDAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5

“O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people” (Psalm 105:1).

GET DELAYED BILLING AND UP TO 35% OFF* WHEN YOU PURCHASE A PACKAGE DEAL BY JAN. 16, 2012!

CALL OR CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION1.800.727.4440 • www.rbpVBS.org/Retailers*Subject to special terms and conditions

Regular Baptist Press Tabspread_placed.indd 3 9/30/11 5:23 PM

22 / / / NOVE M B E R 2011 / / / www.christianretail ing.com

VBS 2012

PUBLISHER

ABINGDON PRESS

TITLE LOGODENOM/

AGEDVD/

MULTIMEDIASONGBOOK/

LYRICS STARTER KITADD’L

RESOURCES CONTACT

N/A

abingdonpressvbs.com, 800-672-1789, ahickeyhughes@

abingdonpress.com

RETURNS

No Friend Like Jesus: Get Con-

nected

United Methodist; toddler-adult

Contemporary and traditional music CDs; downloadable MP3

songs

Worship DVD $74.99

Kits unopened, July 15, 2012; ancillary products,

unopened Sept. 15, 2012.

ANSWERS IN GENESIS Yes

IncrediWorld Amazement Park: A Thrill Ride Through

God’s Creation

Nondenominational; toddler-junior

Top Thrill Tunes songbook and sheet

music; lyrics also available on music

CD-ROM.

Promo & Recruitment DVD; Song Motions DVD; It’s Showtime!

drama DVD, music DVD, CD-ROMs, music CDs

$99.99 (Starter); $189.99 (Super

Starter)Aug. 31, 2012

BOGARD PRESS

N/ASonlight Express—Jesus & Me

Baptist; age 2-adult VBS songsLesson & Music DVD $159.99

Products marked with a dot are nonreturn-able. Call for a return authorization number. No returns after Sept.

15, 2012

CONCORDIA PUBLISHING

HOUSE

COKESBURY

Pass-along CD, collect-ibles, student resources, decorating items, crafts, puppet, publicity items

N/A

Amazing Desert Journey

Operation Overboard: Dare to Go Deep With

God!

Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod; preschool-adult

Methodist;toddler-adult

Yes

song charts

Yes

Adventure Video for Assembly Time DVD/CD-ROM, music video DVD; Sunday Bible

Toons CD/DVD

$129.99

$89.99

EDITORIAL CONCORDIA

N/ACampeones de la fe (Champions of

Faith)

Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod;

ages 3-14YesYes N/A

Aug. 15, 2012. Return Merchandise

Authorization required

FAITH AND LIFE RESOURCES

Free resources for leaders and activities for children at www.

mennomedia.org/vbs.

Take Me to the Water: God’s Love

Flows

Nondenominational; preschool-grade 8

Yes with some songs downloadable

Video with worship images

$129.99 30 days

GO FISH

Online support and suggestions from churches at www.

gofishguys.ning.com

Praise: Where Kids Get Down And Lift

God High!

Nondenominational; preschool-grade 6 Yes

Music videos by Go Fish & Denver and the Mile

High Orchestra, karaoke videos, Bible study teach-

ing videos

$150 Returnable

GOSPEL LIGHTTrek Guides, repro-ducible music, large

group activities, deco-rating options

SonRise National Park

Nondenominational; nursery-adult

Music Leader DVD-ROM and CD-ROM

Go Big! assemblies DVD; True Nature Survivor

Skit DVD, overview DVD, music CDs, skit videos, PowerPoint song lyrics

Starter Kit, $79.99; Super Starter Kit,

$199.99Sept. 15, 2012

GOSPEL PUBLISHING

HOUSE

T-shirts, iron-ons, poster, take-home activity page,

EvangeCubes, pom-poms, baseball cap, whistle,

megaphone, drill cones, pinnies, shin guards

MEGA Sports Camp: Beyond the

Gold

Nondenominational; ages 6-12 N/A

Director’s resources DVD, cheer training DVD,

theme music actions DVD, art CD, theme music

CD, cheer music CD, cheer training CD

$129.99 Sept. 1, 2012

GROUP PUBLISHING

SkyNondenominational;

preschool-youthsongbooks/chord

charts online

Up & Away Sing & Play music DVD, Up & Away Sing & Play music leader version

$157.99 Sept. 7, 2012

KREMER PUBLICATIONS

Display posters, out-door banner, design-

your-own-medalsTeam Jesus

Nondenominational; preschool-adult N/AOpening devotion

PowerPointFree

LIFEWAY CHURCH

RESOURCES

Amazing Wonders Aviation

Southern Baptist; babies-adult

Worship Rally guide; music book

Worship Rally DVD; music rotation

DVD, downloadable resources

Sampler $69.99 Super Sampler

$199.99Sept. 1, 2012

LIFEWAY CHURCH

RESOURCES

Accessories and apparel

Club VBS: SpaceQuest

Southern Baptist; babies-grade 6 Worship Rally guide

Worship Rally DVD, downloadable video bundles and music

$99.99 Sept. 1, 2012

Music CD, souvenir take-home CD, music accompaniment book,

reproducible lyrics

VBS songbook

Yes

Seaside Celebra-tion dual CD set and

music DVD; Pass-Along music CDs

URBAN MINISTRIES

Fishin’ on a Mission With Jesus

Nondenominational; preschool-adult Yes Yes Yes

Worship DVD with music, drama, and heritage focus per-

sonality

www.urbanministriesVBS.com,

708-868-7100, cclem-etson@

urbanministries.com

100% credit, July 1, 2012, 50% credit,

Sept. 1, 2012

AnswersVBS.com, 800-778-3390,

vbs@answersingenesis.org

www.vbs.bogardpress.org/2012,

800-264-2482, info@

bogardpress.org

www.vbs.cph.org, 800-325-3391,trade@cph.org

www.cokesburyvbs.com,

800-672-1789, cokesburyvbs@cokesbury.com

Aug. 15, 2012. Return Merchandise

Authorization required

Kits unopened, July 15, 2012; ancillary

products, unopened, Sept. 15, 2012.

800-325-3040/English or 877-450-

8694/Spanish, editorialconcordia@

cph.org

lifeway.com/vbs,615-251-2000, courtney.baker@

lifeway.com

lifeway.com/vbs,615-251-2000, courtney.baker@

lifeway.comYes

STANDARD PUBLISHING

Adventures on Promise Island

Nondenominational; preschool-older

youth/adult

Planning DVD, Sea-side Celebration

music DVD, Lifeguard Lagoon leader guide

Power Pak $199.99; Starter Kit $69.99

Puppet pack, Cooper hand puppet, outdoor banner; recognition certificates,

Bible Memory poster pack (NIV or KJV)

www.vacationbibleschool.com,

800-543-1353, customerservice@standardpub.com

Call representative for details

R.H. BOYD PUBLISHING

CORP.

REGULAR BAPTIST PRESS

Finding the Heavenly Treasure

Baptistpreschool-adult

Baptist; age 2-adultBugZone: Trans-

formed by Our Big God!

N/A

Promo DVD, Direc-tor’s Resource CD set, music CD, puppet CD

$64.99

$79.99

T-Shirt

N/A

www.rhboydpublishing.com,

877-474-2693, customerservice@

rhboyd.com

800-727-4440, orders@rbpstore.org

Return merchandise authorization number

required. Items must be returned within 60 days from the date of invoice.

Kits: July 31, 2012; Other: Sept. 17, 2012

NORTHWESTERN PUBLISHING

HOUSEBack to Jerusalem

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod; age 3-adult

N/A Free, downloadableLessons available in printed or electronic

formats

orders@nph.wels.net; 800-662-6022; www.nph.net/vbs

Sept. 15, 2012

www.summervbs.com, 800-669-0887,

info@kremerpublications.com

100% guarantee, nondated

4everybuddy.comgroup.com/sky,800-447-1070,

vbsteam@group.com

GROUP PUBLISHING

Free clip art samples and music downloads, including the Babylon

theme song

Babylon: Daniel’s Courage in Cap-

tivity

Interdenominational; preschool-adult

songbooks/chord charts online

Babylon Celebration music DVD and CD

$124.99 Sept. 7, 2012group.com/Babylon,

800-447-1070, vbsteam@group.com

www.MEGA-sportscamp.com,

800-641-4310, customerserviceorders@

ag.org

www.gospellightvbs.com/sonrise,

800-4-GOSPEL, customerservice@

gospellight.com

vbs@gofishguys.com, 615-293-3919,

marty@gofishguys.com

www.mennomedia.org/vbs;

800-245-7894, customerservice@mennomedia.org

VBS curriculum at a glance

VBS Chart CR 11-11.indd 22 9/29/11 9:27 AM

Concordia Pub Tab_placed.indd 1 9/24/11 6:55 PM