NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–“Amazing Wonders Aviation: Encountering God’s Awesome Power” will be the 2012 Vacation Bible School theme for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
A LifeWay news release June 6 noted:
“Think vintage aviation from the 1930s and 40s: biplanes and bomber jackets.
“Children, students and adult VBS participants will fly to some of the world’s greatest natural wonders as they encounter an awesome God and His amazing power. They will take off each day from the Amazing Wonders Aviation airstrip and visit some of the world’s most beautiful and marvelous God-made creations: Victoria Falls, the Northern Lights, Paricutin Volcano, the Great Barrier Reef, the Grand Canyon, and the Matterhorn.”
The theme is taken from Psalm 147:5: “Our Lord is great, vast in power; His understanding is infinite” (HCSB).
The June 6 announcement coincided with a live online VBS announcement event from Nashville featuring Jeff Slaughter, creator of all things musical for LifeWay VBS; Jerry Wooley, LifeWay’s VBS specialist; and others who introduced the theme from a vintage airstrip/hangar.
“This year we changed things up a bit,” Wooley said. “In the past the VBS theme has been based on one location or idea. This year, the theme is based on six beautiful God-made natural wonders.”
Decorating will be easy for the aviation-themed VBS because each location is the site of one of the rotations, Wooley said.
The rotations, as noted in the news release, will be:
–“Bible Study at Victoria Falls — located in Africa in both Zambia and Zimbabwe, it is the world’s largest waterfall based on width and height.
— “Missions under the Northern Lights — This natural phenomenon can be seen from many places in the world, with gorgeous multicolored lights dancing across the nighttime sky.
— “Snacks at Paricutin Volcano — This volcano in Mexico is the youngest volcano in North America and is considered a natural wonder because mankind witnessed its birth.
— “Crafts at the Great Barrier Reef — Found off the coast of Australia, the GBR is the largest coral reef system on the planet and hosts some of the most amazing and beautiful sea life anywhere.
— “Recreation at the Grand Canyon — Located in northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon is recognized for its overall size and beautifully colored landscape.
— “Music at the Matterhorn — Located in Switzerland, the Matterhorn has a four-sided pyramidal peak, with each side facing the four compass points – a real wonder!”
“We want everyone who attends VBS to know the power of our awesome God,” Wooley said. “He has the power of create these awesome natural wonders, but He also has the power to make an awesome impact on our lives.
“We want them to know they can rely on God’s power to do whatever He wants them to do.”
VBS is one of the most effective evangelistic activities within the SBC. For 2009 (latest figures available), more than 25,000 churches hosted VBS. More than 2.8 million children, students and adults were enrolled and more than 88,000 people made professions of faith in Christ.
The 2012 VBS Previews — events that sell out every year — will be Jan. 6-7 at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina; Jan. 13-14 at Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas; Jan. 26-27 and 27-28 at LifeWay’s headquarters in Nashville, Tenn.; and Feb. 17-18 at First Baptist Church in Kissimmee, Fla. Discounts are available for those who register early.
Continuously updated information about the 2012 VBS can be accessed at LifeWay.com/VBS.
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Polly House writes for LifeWay Christian Resources.
