From the Archives: 10 Tips for a Wild and Wonderful Good News Stampede
Now that we are in the final days of the VBS 2015 season (June, July, August) our attention is shifting full steam ahead to VBS 2016 – which just happens to be the 20th big theme since the 1997 release of The Wild and Wonderful Good News Stampede.
What a radical transformation that theme brought to the world of Vacation Bible Schools everywhere:
- A theme that permeated every aspect of the event.
- Daily songs written specifically for the theme and Scripture passages.
- Teachers enlisted for a single task instead of being responsible for every activity of a particular class or age group.
- Kids rotating out of a self-contained classroom to crafts, recreations, missions, music, and snacks.
- A VBS musical.
- And so much more.
As a tribute to the theme that started it all, here are 10 Tips for a Wild and Wonderful Good Stampede. (The tips are transferable and are relevant for any theme, including VBS 2016’s exciting underwater adventure – SUBMERGED!
1. Keep the focus on the real thing – Jesus, The Good News!
2. Teach the Bible and trust God for great results!
3. Remember to pray! That’s the foundation for a Wild and Wonderful Good News Stampede!
4. Create excitement among workers! It will spread like wildfire!
5. Use the theme everywhere – inside, outside, and through the community!
6. Invite the entire church and community! Reach in and reach out.
7. Dress for success – from the tips of your boots to the top of your hat!
8. Build relationships during VBS and watch the long-term effects!
9. Brush up on your cowboy lingo! Then talk the talk as you walk the walk!
10. Use our Good News Stampede resources; then customize VBS fit your needs!
We’re celebrating 90 – that’s 90 years of providing the very best VBS curriculum, resources, and training – by going to the archives for ideas and advice that is just as relevant today as the day it was first printed. This post is an excerpt from the VBS 1997 Wild and Wonderful Good News Stampede Director’s Guide.
I would like Jerry’s email to send him some questions.
I loved the good news stampede. I have been trying find the music and would love for Lifeway to make available for purchase the different years of music
Go to iTunes and type in LifeWay VBS. You will find a huge selection of previous VBS sons for .99 each.
I did not see The Wild and Wonderful Good News Stampede. I have almost all the years since on CD and believe this was on cassette but did not see the songs on iTunes. If they were I would purchase everyone and would like the album available
Our children’s choir just did a fantastic revival of Go Go Jonah, and our pastor talked about The Good News Stampede, I don’t remember it, but we’re already looking for next years program and I’d love to find The Good News Stampede musical. We’d need more than just itunes songs though!
Sorry, Laura. That particular musical is no longer in print.
Can you get the Wild and wounderful Good News Stampee curriculum. Still today we would like to do it in 2019 vbs
Unfortunately not. Sorry!