Vacation Bible School isn’t just a fun summer event for kids—it’s a huge opportunity for your church to connect with families and share the good news about Jesus.
Many parents who wouldn’t normally attend a Sunday service will gladly sign their kids up for VBS. They want a great experience for their children, and if your church delivers, they just might come back to see what you’re all about.
VBS is your chance to shine. In this post, we’ll walk through five key strategies to make the most of this opportunity and help your church grow.
Spread the Word: Promote VBS to Your Community
If the only people who know about your VBS are the ones already at your church, it will not help you reach new families. You’ve got to spread the word!
Start with the easiest (and often most effective) method—word of mouth. Encourage your church members to invite their friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Make it simple by giving them digital or printed invitations they can share.
Next, put up some eye-catching flyers around town, especially in places where families and kids hang out—libraries, coffee shops, playgrounds, and community centers. Be sure to highlight that VBS is free (or super affordable) so no one feels like it’s out of reach.
Don’t forget about social media. Parents are already scrolling, so meet them where they are. Post about your VBS regularly and consider running targeted Facebook ads—they’re some of the best ways to reach local families without spending a fortune.
Create a Warm Welcome for Kids and Parents
While every night—every moment—is key in Vacation Bible School, the first few moments a family walks into your church doors are particularly important. First impressions matter. You’ll want to make sure the registration process runs as smoothly as possible. Station smiling greeters near check-in to tell parents how glad they are they brought their children and to show them where to go.
Set up a place where parents can have a cup of coffee, sit, and talk with other parents after dropping their children off. This will help them feel more comfortable with the drop-off process before leaving.
Engage Parents Throughout VBS Week
If your VBS is going to lead to church growth, you need to engage parents. Don’t let them drop kids off and go. Show parents they’re a valued part of the VBS experience.
For example, you can:
- Send emails: Send daily emails about what kids learned and provide fun photos. Include opportunities for parents to connect long-term in those emails (Sunday School classes, small groups, weekend worship services, etc.)
- Host a family fun night: This is a tried-and-true formula. Invite the families back to the church on the last night of VBS (or potentially for a weekend worship service). Consider adding a “talent show” to the event to heighten the draw. Then, invite parents back to your church that Sunday for a worship service (and maybe a special breakfast or lunch).
- Schedule a “Behind-the-Scenes” tour: Encourage parents to take a step behind the curtain to learn more about what’s happening in VBS and about the church’s ministry to families more generally. Do this as a pre-VBS open house as well.
Your goal is to show parents that VBS can be just the start of a beautiful relationship with your church!
Follow Up Personally with Every Family
Sure, you can send out a form letter to all the families who participated in VBS. That’s certainly better than nothing. But when someone from your church personally engages with VBS guests, it sends a signal that they matter to your church.
Involve as many volunteers as possible in some form of personal follow-up. Ideally, each VBS leader should contact the students in their care. Try one of these possible follow-up methods.
- Write a thank-you card mentioning something specific about the child’s experience at VBS.
- Make a phone call simply thanking the parents for entrusting the child to you during the week and inviting them to attend church.
Make sure families know they weren’t just one among many (no matter how large your VBS was). Help them feel noticed and appreciated.
Connect New Families to Church Life
Your goal with every family who attends VBS is to help them take their next step with God and your church. Think about programs or groups that you can plug them into now that VBS is over.
For example:
- Invite them to Sunday School, youth group, or other activities your church has for young people.
- Schedule a fun, low-key, family-friendly service opportunity that will allow new families to meet others in your church.
- Consider asking some of your long-time church families to be ” buddies” to new families so they will have someone to sit with when they come to church events.
The key is to be intentional. Think through how you would want to get connected if your family started getting involved with your church after VBS.
May This Year’s VBS Be the Start of Something Great
Your church’s VBS can be much more than just a standalone summer program. It can be the start of a great relationship with new families that leads to growth for your church.
To learn more about how your church can make the most of this year’s Vacation Bible School, check out our FREE guide, Moments That Matter: How to Create a Life-Changing VBS Experience.
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