This year, we get to tell the children how Jesus guides us through all the twists and turns of our lives.
What is VBS? Who can attend VBS?
Vacation Bible School, or VBS for short, is a special holiday program primarily aimed at ministering to children from the International Baptist Church (IBC) of Singapore. It is also an outreach and evangelism opportunity for children who have not heard the Gospel, or do not attend church. Children ages 3 to 12 will learn about God through Bible stories, activities, music, crafts, games, and even fellowship over tasty snacks, all set to a creative theme that changes yearly!
What is this year's theme?
Theme: TWISTS & TURNS
Motto: Following Jesus Changes The Game
Verse: Psalm 25:4 — “Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths.”
When and where will VBS be held this year?
VBS will be hosted by IBC from June 7-10, 2023. We are located at 81 King’s Road, Singapore 266358. Key dates and timings for this year's VBS week are listed below. Save the dates!
- VBS Day (June 7-9, Wed-Fri): 9:00am-12:30pm
- VBXpress* (June 7-9, Wed-Fri): 6:00pm-8:00pm
- Family Night (June 10, Sat): 5:00-7:00pm
All workers need to be 16 years old or older and available to serve on all three days of VBSDay or VBXpress. You also need to come 30 minutes earlier and leave 30 minutes later (ie, Wed-Fri, 8:30am-1:00pm &/or 5:30-8:30pm; Sat, 4:30-7:30pm) to help facilitate an organized welcome and dismissal for the kids.
*to be confirmed by May 17, depending on the number of registrants
What can we look forward to at VBS?
Children will pass, go and collect the truth about Jesus in Twists & Turns. While children play their way through VBS, they will learn that Jesus guides them through the ups, downs, and zigzags of their lives. Most importantly, children will encounter the Gospel and discover that sin’s message of “game over” is overcome through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
This year’s VBS is centered on the story of Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, and his life-changing experiences with Christ. Peter was bold and fearless at times, and at other times he was cowering in denial. He had huge successes and big failures. It is never all smooth sailing in the game of life. As children see Jesus through Peter’s eyes, they will learn that Jesus is holy, trustworthy, forgiving, worth following, and for everyone. We pray that the children will see themselves in Peter and choose to place their trust in Jesus as their personal Saviour.
As VBS workers, we will come together to deliver a series of meaningful programs for the attending children. Packed with Bible stories, activities, music, crafts and games, VBS will propel kids to follow Christ!
How can I serve?
Below is a list of areas that you can serve in.
- DECORATION (pre-VBS) - Create spectacular decorations, backdrops, banners and props to dress up the sanctuary, stage, hallways and special rooms at IBC.
- REGISTRATION (pre- & during VBS) - Be available before and after Sunday church services to provide information about VBS and guide parents with registering their children. Be ready to receive children on the first morning of VBS, signing them in and distributing goodie bags. Be deployed to departments of need during VBS sessions.
- PRAYER (pre- & during VBS) - Pray over all aspects of VBS. From the leadership team to the little ones attending VBS, join us to cover everyone and everything in faithful prayer.
- FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION - Sponsor needy children to participate in VBS and/or to defray overall VBS expenses.
- BIBLE ACTIVITY/BIBLE STORY - Bring Bible stories to life and explain God's big plan for each child.
- MUSIC - Model and teach children to worship God through song and dance.
- CRAFTS - Prepare craft materials and facilitate daily craft sessions.
- GAMES - Keep the children pumping with fun and high energy games.
- GUIDES - Be with the children and accompany them through each station every day. Love every child in your group and answer hard questions, such as "When is snack time?" or even better, "Who is Jesus?"
- PRESCHOOL - Lead and guide our preschoolers in daily Bible Activities, Crafts and Games.
- NURSERY - Care for our Workers' babies who are too young to join in the VBS programme. The Nursery hosts little ones from 9 months to 3 years old.
- FOOD CONTRIBUTION - Contribute nourishing food items for our hardworking VBS Workers.
- KITCHEN - Prepare and serve delicious food to the 400+ hungry children who come to VBS every day.
- AUDIO/VISUAL - Provide audio and visual support during worship assemblies and Family Night.
- PHOTOGRAPHY/MEDIA - Capture memories of VBS and stitch together a photo montage for Family Night.
- SECURITY/TRAFFIC - Ensure all participants of VBS are safe. Regulate human flow and vehicular traffic during dismissal times.
Will food be provided?
Yes, light refreshments will be available for workers, and snacks will be provided for children attending VBS. On June 10, Saturday, after our finale at Family Night, all VBS workers, children, and their families will also get the chance to have fellowship over a light dinner.
I am a parent. Can I serve in VBS to be with my child?
VBS is a children-only program. This means that parents are not allowed to be with their child(ren) during the daily sessions. Please rest assured that your child(ren) will be in the good and able hands of our workers.
You are welcome to serve with us in various capacities! Please note, however, that you will not be assigned to an area where you are able to accompany your child. If there are special circumstances that require you to be with your child during the duration of the program, please write to us at vbs@ibcs.org.
I would like to serve in VBS but need childcare for my little ones. Can you help?
Nursery childcare is provided for children from 9 months to 3 years old who have a parent serving in VBS. Spots are very limited and all children in the Nursery must be pre-registered. Please do so when you sign up to serve.
I’m ready to serve! Where do I sign up? How much is it?
Registration is free for VBS Workers! Just complete the Workers' Application Form linked here and we will be in touch with you soon.
Tell me when you need me, and I'll be there!
We're so glad you asked! We've listed below all the important dates for you to take note of.
- All Workers' Training: May 21, Sun, 1:00-3:00pm
- Set-Up Day: June 4, Sun,1:00-5:00pm
- VBS Day: June 7-9, Wed-Fri, 8:30am-1:00pm
- VBXpress: June 7-9, Wed-Fri, 5:30pm-8:30pm
- Family Night: June 10, Sat, 4:30pm-7:30pm
- Workers' Appreciation Lunch: June 11, Sun (tentative)
How will I receive announcements on VBS?
Please ensure your email address and contact number are entered correctly upon registration. We will be communicating with you through these means. If you have any other questions, please write to us at vbs@ibcs.org.
