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The Summer’s Greatest Evangelistic Resource
By: Mark Langley
Church Strengthening Team Leader—Montana Southern Baptist Convention
The
summer of 2008 is almost upon us! Once again our Montana Southern
Baptist Churches will be given unique opportunities of ministry that
only summer affords. Let me remind you that the greatest evangelism and
outreach tool available to the Southern Baptist church is Vacation Bible
School. LifeWay Christian Resources has a theme of
Outrigger
Island
for the larger,
narrowly graded church. But let me also remind you that the Club VBS
track is especially designed for the smaller church who is expecting
fewer than 50 children. It is broadly graded, which means that you need
fewer workers. All of this means that it cost less, and this year’s
theme fits Montana. It is called
Cactus Canyon
and it is a re-make of the most popular theme to ever come through our
western state -
The
Good News Stampede.
If you haven’t considered Club VBS then give it a look this year. The
music is contemporary and fun and the western theme means that you’ll
probably find decorations all over your house and property. Many of our
churches would fit into the intended church size so don’t overlook the
possibility that the Club VBS materials may bring you.
Many
summer groups enter our state each year and many of them help us with
VBS. Let me encourage you, no matter what size church you are, to
participate in VBS with your own workers, allowing the visiting church
to aid your workers. Some of our churches mistakenly allow a larger
visiting church from the south to just come and
 conduct
a VBS for their community and donate no more than the use of the church
facilities. It would be healthier for you to do your best to supply
workers and supplies and simply invite visiting groups to join you as
you partner together to conduct a VBS. In this way, you are learning and
growing and placing yourself in a position of future growth toward the
goal of someday conducting your own VBS with just your own people. You
will eventually grow to the point that you will be able to send your own
well-trained people to another church that needs workers. So even if you
presently have only a handful of workers, you need to take the lead and
conduct your own school. We are grateful for the out-of-state mission
teams who annually help us greatly expand our capabilities, but let’s
not forget that Montana is first and foremost
our
mission field. We are called to live here and to find ways to win and
disciple our FRANs (Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors) to
Christ.
Let’s
gear up for summer. I am praying that our youth, family and sports
camps, summer missionaries, summer mission teams, building projects, and
Vacation Bible Schools,
will harvest much for the Kingdom.
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