VBS in the Wake of COVID-19

With the affects of COVID-19 continuing to unfold each and every day, you may be wondering what’s going to happen to VBS this summer. Well don’t worry, VBS is still on! In fact, we at Lifeway VBS are planning on VBS happening this summer in a big way. We know there’s a lot of uncertainty about how and when, but we are committed to serving churches in their mission of making disciples. So no matter when or how you do VBS this year, we’ll be there to help and support you.
At this point in time, it’s too early to make a definitive decision to cancel anything scheduled for this summer. Things are rapidly changing every day, and none of us knows exactly what the situation will be weeks from now. So right now we need to be prepared for VBS to happen as planned. You may want to have a back-up date reserved on the calendar just in case, but press onward trusting that VBS will go on as scheduled. Lifeway Kids and Lifeway VBS exist to serve you. We are monitoring the current situation closely and will be ready to help churches share the gospel of Jesus this summer no matter what happens with COVID-19.
We’ve had many conversations over the last few weeks with church leaders from across the country and have heard that most churches are still planning on VBS happening this summer. Some may push their dates a little later depending on developments; but many also believe this summer’s VBS has the potential to be their biggest VBS in years. In fact, many are planning for record-breaking attendance knowing that parents will be ready for their kids to get out of the house and kids will be hungry for getting back together with their friends and doing something fun.
Who would’ve ever thought we’d be where we sit today? God did! He knew exactly what we’d be going through in 2020. COVID-19 didn’t catch Him off guard. The message of this year’s VBS was divinely appointed for these uncertain times—He is our Rock and our solid foundation. A foundation built to last. A foundation that will not crumble no matter what life throws at it. The closures of schools, events, and even churches cannot thwart His plans and they do not change our mission. Satan would love nothing more than to thwart the largest evangelistic tool of our churches, but that won’t happen on our watch. I’m looking forward to hearing the incredible stories that will come out of this VBS because I know God is going to use the hardships we’re experiencing now to draw people closer to Him and to prepare their hearts to receive Him.
Here are some things you can do in the meantime:

• Keep calm and pray. Remember that “this too shall pass.” Things seem unsure and a little scary now, but they won’t always be this way. You can be a calming, reassuring voice to your ministry leaders and to the children and families in your church. Pray for God’s guidance in your decision-making and for His protection during this time. Pray that He will protect your VBS and bring a swift end to this pandemic.
• Continue planning, recruiting, and training volunteers. Follow our Lifeway VBS Facebook page for VBS sneak peeks and fun things to do while you’re stuck at home. Join our free VBS Directors Club and take advantage of the training videos there. Share them with your team as you enlist. Send digital copies of the leader guides to your leaders so that they can begin preparing to teach now.
• Have a backup plan in place. A lot is going to change between now and the start of summer. It’s OK to have an alternate date later in the summer set aside as a backup—just in case. It’s OK to rethink how you might do VBS as a back-to-school kick-off or during 5 consecutive Wednesday nights or Saturdays or during Fall Break. The timing is not important, but doing VBS is. Kids, parents, your church, and your community need something on the horizon to look forward to.